POLICE are hunting for a car that sped off from the scene of a crash after it ploughed into a shop front, depite it having reportedly caught fire.

The car also left behind its bumper, registration plate, VW logo and a trail of damage after the early morning collision.

At 5.30am today emergency services were called to reports of a two car crash at the busy junction of Lumb Lane and Carlisle Road in Manningham.

The fire service had been told that one of the cars had then crashed into the front of a Carlisle Road shop and was on fire at the time of the call.

However, when police, fire and ambulance services arrived at the scene the vehicle had left, leaving a trail of destruction behind it and blocking the junction.

The other car, a VW Golf, was badly damaged in the front and still at the scene.

The driver was spoken to by paramedics, although they did not suffer any serious injuries.

Firefighters said the damage to the shop, Chirag Fabrics, was mainly limited to its roller shutters.

The car that left the scene is believed to be a Volkswagen Passat, and police have now urged the public to help them trace the vehicle.

Bradford Council was contacted by police shortly after the crash and dispatched staff to clean up the scene, which is one of the busiest junctions in the area, to avoid rush hour delays.

Fairweather Green Fire Station watch commander Dean McKenna said: “One of the cars had damaged a shop front and taken the traffic lights out.

“After hitting the shop it looks like they somehow managed to start the car and flee the scene.

"They left the VW badge behind on the ground.

"They left a lot of damage but somehow managed to get away.

“The police and ambulance service were already there when we got there so we assisted in making the scene safe.

“We’d had reports that there was a car in a shop front and it was also on fire, so we expected Armageddon but it had gone by the time we were there.

"The bumper and number plate were left on the ground.”

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman told the Telegraph & Argus that one of their ambulances had been passing through the area at the time, and came across the scene of the crash at around 5.25am.

They said one car was there when they arrived, and the driver of the Golf did not need hospital treatment.

Police confirmed that they were still looking for one of the vehicles involved in the crash, and have issued an appeal for any witnesses to the incident, or people who may know the whereabouts of the Passat.

Anyone with information have been asked to contact police on 101 quoting log number 256 of April 20.

People can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.