AN axe was thrown at police as officers pursued a car at high speed across parts of Tyldesley.

Police were called to Sommerfields Supermarket in Shuttle Street, Tyldesley at 4.30pm last night after reports of a number of men acting suspiciously behind the store.

The men, who were allegedly about to carry out an armed robbery, fled in a silver Vauxhall Vectra -- registration number W881 AEV.

As police followed the vehicle at speed along the A580 East Lancashire Road towards Salford, an axe was thrown at them from the window of the Vectra.

Police continued to pursue the car -- which contained four men -- across Bothstown to the Monton area of Salford.

The car stopped in Victoria Crescent, Eccles, and two of the men were arrested after a brief chase on foot.

Two other men escaped the scene.

Police said today that two men, both from Salford, have been arrested and are being interviewed in connection with the incident.