POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an explosion at a house in Oxford Grove, Bolton, at 11.45am on Monday.

A butane gas canister was found at the premsies in Oxford Grove after the explosion at 11.45am.

Two homecarers who were walking past the house at the time of the explosion were shattered in shards of glass which had blown 125-yards into the street.

The women were both treated at the Royal Bolton Hospital and one of them was detained overnight.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the explosion and are especially keen to find two youngsters who were seen playing near the house just minutes before the blast.

The boy was aged 12-13 and had ginger or fair hair and the girl was aged between eight and ten-years-old with fair hair and was of plump build.

Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.