THIEVES fled after trying to steal a van from a bus depot but were unable to start the vehicle.

The three men, in a stolen white Ford Mondeo, pulled into the First Bus depot in Weston Street, Burnden, at 8.10am on Friday.

They tried to steal a Vauxhall van, which was parked with the keys in the ignition, but they could not start the van.

The first thief was white, about 5ft 10ins tall and slim. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a black hooded top.

A second man was white, with a round face and short dark hair. There is no description for the third offender.

The Mondeo, registration FH53 2RG, had been stolen from Trafford earlier in the week.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.