A GANG of violent armed robbers smashed a large axe into the bonnet of a police car in a desperate bid to stop an officer pursuing them, a court heard.

The axe was embedded in the bonnet and had to be wrenched out by the attacker before it was thrown at another police car during a high-speed chase.

The gang's stolen car sped through busy streets packed with shoppers and past children's play areas before being dumped in Eccles.

James Achebe and Darren Dunn are accused of being part of a four-man gang spotted lurking near Securicor guards loading cash machines at a Tyldesley supermarket.

The four men fled but Dunn and Achebe were arrested. Two others have not been caught.

Achebe denied he was the get-away driver but Dunn admitted he had been in the vehicle but said he had been part of a group intending to commit violence not robbery. Dunn, aged 19, of Worsley Road, Worsley, and 25-year-old Achebe, of Milford Street in Salford, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to stand trial.

Achebe denied conspiracy to rob, aggravated vehicle taking, assault with intent, driving while disqualified and conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

Dunn denied conspiracy to rob, aggravated vehicle taking but admitted to being carried. He admitted assault with intent and conspiracy to commit violent disorder.

Prosecutor Paul Treble said that shoppers spotted four men in a car, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, in the car park of Somerfield supermarket in Tyldesley. As they approached the supermarket something frightened the gang and they made off in the car.

(Proceeding)