A 45-year-old Bolton police officer is fighting for his life in hospital after his van crashed into a tree en route to an incident in the early hours of this morning.

The male officer was driving a marked police van on Crompton Way, Bolton, as he responded to reports of a disturbance in Halliwell. The van crashed into a tree just before the junction with Almond Street.

The fire service were called to rescue to the man from the van. It is thought that he suffered severe head and chest injuries and his condition remains critical.