THIEVES blew a cash machine in Astley Bridge off a wall with a gas canister in an attempt to steal its contents. 

Staff at Asda supermarket in Moss Bank Way heard a loud bang at about 4.20am today before seeing four men on their CCTV driving off in an Audi estate.

They went to investigate and found that the ATM cash machine had been blown from the wall at the HSBC branch opposite. 

Police were called and they discovered that the thieves had used a gas canister, so they evacuated a number of nearby flats as a precaution while they examined the device they had left at the scene.

The offenders, who were all wearing balaclavas, drove off in a blue Audi A4 estate with the registration plate AV62 BBZ towards the Moss Bank Way area. Nothing was stolen. 

Police want to hear from anyone who has seen this car or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Brophy, based at Bolton, said: "The offenders appeared to use some kind of gas canister to remove the cash machine from the wall before driving off with it.

"We have a detailed description of the car they used so we are now appealing for any information that could help us trace this vehicle.

"Did you see it in the area before or just after the incident, or did you see it slightly later, heading towards the western part of Bolton."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.