A POLICE officer was run over twice as he went to investigate a suspected drug deal.

The 31-year-old PC was crushed against a parked car and suffered leg injuries in the incident off Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

He was mown down after he and another plain clothes officer saw the occupants of a green Saab 900 acting suspiciously in Myrtle Street.

The officers walked over and one spoke to the driver.

But as the second PC walked behind the car to speak to the passenger, the driver reversed into him, pinning him against a parked car.

The Saab moved forward, but then reversed into the officer for a second time before driving away.

The injured PC, who has not been named, suffered ligament damage and was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital. He was later allowed home.

The car was later found abandoned on Fourth Avenue, Heaton.

James Bardsley, aged 85, of Chorley New Road, saw the incident as he drove down Park Hill Street.

He said: "I stopped the car because the road was blocked. The next thing I saw was a car backing out across the street and he hit a policeman. He reversed into him again and he fell to the ground the second time he was hit."

Det Insp Andy Aston, of Astley Bridge CID, said: "The fact that the car was reversed twice shows this was clearly a deliberate attempt to injure the officer. It is fortunate that he was not more seriously injured.

"We believe the incident may have been connected with drug dealing in Bolton."

Anyone with information about the incident which happened at about 12.05pm on Tuesday should call Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5740 or confidential Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries.