A JUDGE jailed a man for six months after he was involved in a 85 mph police chase through the streets of Astley and Tyldesley.

The high-speed chase only ended when drink-driver Paul Philip Mulcahy crashed into a brick pillar, a court heard.

Even then he tried to escape but police chased him on foot.

Mulcahy, aged 30, of Devonshire Road, Atherton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence for several offences. He had previously admitted drink driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

The court heard that the chase began when two police officers on mobile patrol saw a Ford Fiesta XR2 driven by Mulcahy weaving from side to side heading along Manchester Road, Astley, heading towards Astley.

Mulchay ignored police requests to stop and sped off and overtook two cars on a blind-sided left hand bend.

His speed reached 85 mph mounting the pavement at one point forcing pedestrian to leap out of the way and colliding with a road barrier throwing debris into the road.

The chase ended when police saw a huge cloud of dust and wreckage ahead and saw that the car had smashed into a brick pillar surrounding a tree.

When arrested Mulcahy swore at police and a test at the station revealed he had 67mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath -- just under twice the legal limit.

The court was told that Mulcahy was of previous good character and that he was sorry for what he had done.

Judge William Morris said the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified. He jailed him for six months.

He also banned Mulcahy from driving for four years and ordered that when his ban is finished he must take an extended re-test to regain his licence.