Police discover large AXE in the back of a Ribbleton car

Officers made the shocking discovery after they stopped a car, which they believed to be stolen, in the early hours of this morning.

A Citroen Berlingo was travelling along Glen View Court at around 12.25am this morning, say police.

The car, which was using false number plates, was stopped but three male offenders made off from the scene.

It was then that police discovered the metre long axe in the back of the car.

A spokesman for the police said: "We stopped a car they believed to be stolen in the early hours of this morning. The car was stopped and three offenders made-off from the vehicle.

"A dog patrol was used and stingers were on standby but the pursuit ended before they were in place."

No arrests have been made.

Anybody with information can contact police on 101.