A BLOOD-splattered car containing a kitchen knife was found abandoned in the middle of a road in Bolton.

The discovery was made by firefighters at 4am yesterday morning when they discovered a blue Ford Fiesta.

The crew was on its way back from putting out a burning Suzuki Vitara which had been set alight in Brock Avenue, Breightmet, when they saw the Fiesta and stopped to investigate.

It had been left at the traffic lights at the junction of Bury Road and Milnthorpe Road.

Watch Commander James Bridge, who is in charge of Red Watch at Bolton North Fire Station, said: “It was a bit strange so we stopped and had a look.

“We wanted to see if we could move it, but when we looked there was blood on the back seat and a big kitchen knife there as well.”

Mr Bridge said the car looked liked it had been stolen as it seemed to have been “hot-wired.”

He said it was not clear if the knife was linked to the blood in the car.

“I personally think it is more likely that someone has broken into a house and cut themselves on some broken glass rather than the knife being used in a stabbing,” Mr Bridge said.

The crew called the police but were told they could not be given a time when an officer would be able to attend so the firefighters pushed the car off the road and left it at the side of Milnthorpe Road.

They left the scene intact and did not remove the knife, allowing it to be gathered by forensic investigators later.

The car was still at the side of the road at a 9am yesterday, when it was being guarded by police.

A police spokesman said the matter was being investigated but at this time it is not believed that the car or the knife is being linked with a serious incident.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk