A MAN has been arrested following a police chase which ended in a stolen car smashing into a property billboard. 

The driver crashed the Audi A5 on Barden Lane, Burnley, after officers set up a ‘stinger’ device to puncture the car’s tyres.

They had received information about it being driven on the M66 motorway on Monday.

A man has now been arrested following the incident.

Sheikh Islam, a local artist, was travelling on Barden Lane at the time and said he was ‘just missed’ by the car.

He said: “The car was being chased by multiple police cars and the driver looked like he tried to stop before Colne Road. He ended up hitting the pavement then lost control and ran into the sign.

“There were quite a few pedestrians near the corner. I was in a car going down Barden Lane and he just missed me.”

Police said: “A 32-year-old man from Oldham was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and failing to stop when directed.”

The force has not referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.