Man arrested after Mercedes crashes following police chase near Chorley

The crash happened at the top of School Brow in Preston Road (A6) at around 12.30am, with the Mercedes smashing into the sign for the Mediterranean 3 restaurant at the Bay Horse.

A 25-year-old man from Wigan has since been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol.

Residents had reported being awakened by the impact of the crash, with some saying it sounded like a 'bomb going off'.

Police said they had given chase to the Mercedes after it was seen driving erratically near the village of Belmont near Winter Hill.

Later that night at around 12.30am, the car was spotted 11 miles away near Whittle-le-Woods. Officers signalled for the driver to pull over, but the car failed to stop and led police on a chase along the A6.

The pursued car later overturned and crashed through bollards and into a restaurant sign at the Bay Horse in Preston Road.

Officers said a man and a woman escaped from the wrecked Mercedes before running away from the scene.

A man was later arrested and taken into custody.

Debris from the crash could be seen scattered at the scene, with one motorist saying she had to stop her car to remove headlights and a bumper from the road.

A police spokesman said: "We were called by a member of the public at 11.50pm on June 30 reporting that a Mercedes-Benz C-Class was being driven erratically near to Belmont.

"The vehicle was then sighted again by the officers on the A6, Whittle Le Woods and failed to stop for them.

"After a very short pursuit the vehicle was involved in a collision and overturned on Preston Road in Chorley.

"A man and a woman made off from the scene.

"A 25-year-old man from Wigan has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol.

"He currently remains in custody."