A POLICE helicopter was called-in to search fields between Tyldesley and Leigh after a chase on Monday afternoon involving a stolen van.

The stolen white Ford Escort van was spotted in Hesketh Street, Atherton and chased through Tyldesley until it was dumped in Squires Lane.

One man was arrested at the scene, another escaped.

The helicopter was used again later that day to catch a van towing a stolen caravan through Tyldesley, Atherton and Hindley.