A DRIVER led police on a high speed chase down the M65 travelling at more than 100mph today.

The drama started in Colne at 1.30am when police spotted a black Vauxhall Astra travelling at high speed through Market Street.

Officers followed it towards the M65 and watched as it went the wrong way around a roundabout and collided with a taxi.

The driver continued onto the westbound carriageway of the motorway.

A police spokesman said: "A pursuit was undertaken by officers on the motorway and the helicopter was deployed as well.

"It also was weaving, driving across all three lanes and subsequently we had to pull back and use the helicopter to follow it and provide information on where it was going.

"It reached high speeds, in excess of 100mph at points on the motorway, and entered the M61 southbound.

"At that point we alerted the Greater Manchester Police to let them know it was heading towards their area. The pursuit was handed over to GMP and they arrested a man."

The car was abandoned in Altrincham at 2.20am and the alleged driver was arrested. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

A 27-year-old man from Nelson has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a car, driving while unfit through drugs and damage to a police vehicle.