Thieves have blown up a cash machine on a forecourt in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

The ATM at the Texaco garage in Rishton Lane, Great Lever, was targeted at around 1.30am on Tuesday, August 30.

Eyewitnesses describe hearing a loud bang and offenders fleeing the scene following the incident.

The ATM is a freestanding unit located next to the entrance of the petrol station convenience store.

The attack is the latest in a string of similar incidents across the north west in recent months where cash machines have been blown up.

The method involves feeding flammable gas into the machine before igniting the mixture – causing an explosion that blows off the front of the ATM.

A police spokesman said: “We were called shortly before 1.30am, on Tuesday, August 30, to Rishton Lane in Great Lever following reports of loud bangs.

“Officers attended. They found damage to a cash machine and that a quantity of cash had been taken. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Police said they were likely to release a description of the offenders in the coming days and asked any witnesses to the incident to call the non-emergency number 101.