POLICE and ambulances rushed to a shopping precinct in the early hours of this morning.

Two people were taken to hospital in what ambulance workers called a 'police incident' in Horwich. The exact circumstances of the incident are still unclear. 

Sirens woke sleeping residents of Chorley New Road at around 3am.

Police cars and ambulances were seen flooding the car park of the Co-Op, with residents saying there was also a heavy police presence in neighbouring areas, including Dale Street and Greenwood Mews.

Several reports were made to the ambulance service just before 3am calling medics to the scene.

Two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles arrived after the first report of an incident was made at 2.53am. At least four police cars and two police vans also attended, with officers positioning themselves in the Co-Op car park.

It is not yet known the extent of the injuries the two individuals may have sustained.

North West Ambulance Service said they were responding in an area 'behind the Co-Op' and that the matter had been labelled as a police incident.

Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment.