A MORRISONS petrol station in Failsworth is expected to be closed 'for a few weeks' after a ram raid.

A low-loader vehicle was driven into the side wall of the kiosk at the Oldham Road station multiple times.

The building has been boarded over after a hole was made through the exterior office wall.

A police investigation is ongoing and a cordon has been put in place at the front of the site while it remains shut.

Resident Louise Jelley, who lives in nearby Old Road, said: "We heard around four or five really loud big bangs at around 5.30 am. It was really loud.

"I looked out the window because it sounded like it was literally outside but I couldn't see anything."

Fire crews from Hollins were called to the incident at 5.20am on Sunday morning (February 18) after receiving reports that a vehicle had crashed into the building and there was a smell of gas.

Watch manager Tony Morgan said: "The kiosk was ram raided by a car. They had gone through the side of the building.

"When we arrived, we ensured everyone was off the premises. We identified the hazards and potential gas leaks, checking there was no gas to the property.

"We isolated the electricity.

"The site manager took a structural survey of the building because it was unstable at the rear."

Police shut off a section of Oldham Road after being called to the incident just after 5am.

The section of road between Firs Avenue and Sisson Street, was closed while emergency services ensured the site was safe.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called to reports that a vehicle, described as a low-loader, has driven into the building a number of times before leaving the scene.

"No arrests have been made. It does not appear that anything was taken."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 493 of February 18, 2018.