A suspected stolen car crashed into a church in the early hours and police have closed the road to investigate.
The occupants of the suspected stolen Vauxhaull Astra fled the wreckage before police arrived.
A person at the scene said 'a set of lights have been destroyed, the car landed in a church and a bollard was flung metres into the church window'.
The car remains hanging from the wall of St James (Hope) Church, at the junction of Eccles Old Road and Lancaster Road in Eccles.
Debris has been left scattered across the road.
Police were first called to the scene after the crash was reported at around 4.35am.
Officers have closed the road to investigate and are searching the area with a police helicopter.
Police say Eccles Old Road will be closed between Stott Lane and Weaste Lane for 'several hours'.
No arrests have yet been made.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 4.35am today (Friday 20 March 2020), police were called to reports that a Vauxhall Astra had collided with a church on Eccles Old Road at the junction with Lancaster Road in Eccles.
“The occupants of the suspected stolen Vauxhall fled the scene prior to police arrival.
“Officers are searching the area with the support of the police helicopter and road closures are in place.
“No arrests have currently been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 392 of 20/03/20, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
