The shock discovery was made just before 5am on Saturday on Fog Lane, Didsbury.

A silver-grey Peugeot 306 was reported to have flipped on to its roof.

Police rushed to the scene and found what they believed to be a silver hand gun.

The driver had managed to release himself and had gone by the time officers arrived.

A section of Fog Lane was cordoned off with blue scene-of-crime tape this morning. The car, which had come to rest half-on the road and half-on the pavement, remained in place.

Part of a stone wall separating the houses from the pavement appeared to have been crushed by the impact of the collision, and debris from the wreckage was strewn across the road.

Police said they were still trying to work out exactly what had happened. A spokeswoman said is remained unclear whether the gun had been in the car at the time of the crash.

Any witnesses were asked to call Didsbury CID on 0161 856 6153.