A CAR crashed into a tree in Moss Bank Park - after being followed by police.

Greater Manchester Police said a car smashed into a tree on Moss Lane, in Moss Bank Park, at 9.25am today (Tuesday, July 14).

Witnesses said a white family saloon car came up from Moss Bank Way, onto Moss Lane, which runs alongside the park, and lost control as it travelled past football pitches and towards the walled garden.

The vehicle crashed into tree and took out some wooden posts.

A group of men then abandoned the car and ran off towards Johnson Fold.

The lane through the park has a maximum speed limit of 10mph.

One witness said: "The car came up from Moss Bank way and lost control just after the corner where you either walk up towards the play area or take the road past the football pitches.

"It ended up crashing into a tree facing the football pitch. There was a police car following.

"The lads ran off towards Johnson Fold but the policeman didn’t follow as he was on his own."

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 9.25am on July 14, police on a routine patrol in Bolton sighted a suspected stolen vehicle.

"The vehicle was driven in to Moss Bank Park at speed, where it collided with a tree.

"The three occupants of the vehicle fled the scene on foot.

"No arrests have been made.

"No injuries have been reported. An investigation is underway.

"Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5761 quoting 703 of 14/07/20 or the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."