A HIGH speed chase involving helicopters from two forces was sparked off early today when police spotted three men breaking into an Accrington garage.

Officers from Greater Manchester and Lancashire joined forces in a bid to catch the trio.

The drama started when a Vauxhall Astra van was stolen in Winterly Drive, Accrington.

Shortly before 2am a brick was thrown through the window of the Gulf Service Station, Burnley Road, and a large amount of cigarettes was stolen.

The helicopters were scrambled after the suspected thieves fled at speeds over 100mph in a stolen van down the M66 towards Manchester.

The men were finally arrested after they were forced off the motorway and crashed the van in Heywood near Bury.

The men, who are aged 46, 30 and 19, will be questioned at Accrington police station later today.

A large quantity of cigarettes was later recovered from the van.

Det Inspector Jim Oldcorn, head of Accrington CID, said: "An incident like this shows the value of the force helicopter.

"These arrests would not have been possible without the use of the helicopters.

"We were able to chase this vehicle at high speeds without endangering the lives of anyone else."

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