Prisoners on the run after ambush

Two men are on the run after being sprung from a prison van in an armed ambush as they were being taken to court.

Ryan MacDonald, 20, and Stevie McMullen, 31, were freed by three men, one believed to have been brandishing a shotgun, who attacked the GEOAmey prison transport vehicle in Salford, Greater Manchester Police said.

The force launched a manhunt, with Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan saying the men "represent a risk to the community". He singled out McMullen, who was standing trial accused of a string of serious offences, as of particular concern.

"I am concerned about them being on the loose, they are responsible for some serious offences," he said.

"I don't think they pose a risk unless approached so it's really important that if anyone sees them they contact us straightaway."

Police later arrested a man and a woman on the nearby Ordsall Estate in Salford, near where a Saab used as a getaway car was found abandoned, he added.

The 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and the 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs and breaching a court order and were held in custody.

MacDonald and McMullen were en route to Manchester Crown Court from the privately-run HMP Altcourse near Liverpool when they were freed, with a third person in the van carrying on to court, police said.

McMullen was on trial accused of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit arson and possession of a firearm, while MacDonald was due to be sentenced for conspiracy to commit robbery.

The van came under attack shortly after 9am in the A57 Regent Road, Salford, a main road into Manchester about half a mile from the city's Crown Court and Strangeways prison.