POLICE in an unmarked car had to give up a high speed chase through residential streets because they feared for the safety of other road users.

But Blackburn magistrates heard that escape for Wajid Mohammed Akram was only temporary as he was spotted and pursued by another patrol minutes later.

The second chase ended with the mounting the pavement in Dukes Brow, Blackburn, before Akram tried to flee on foot.

Akram, 20, of Mandela Court. Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence.

He was ordered to do 180 hours community service, disqualified from driving for 18 months and banned from holding a licence until he has passed an extended re-test. Speaking after the case, Sgt Mark Vaughton, of Blackburn police, said: "This is a very pleasing result. The speed at which Akram was travelling when he made off from police officers meant that he was a serious danger to the public at that time.

"Coupled with the fact that he didn't have any insurance, the consequences, should he have been in collision with somebody, would have been devastating.

"The outcome at court and the length of the ban reflects the seriousness of the offence."

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said the incident started in Perth Street at 12.15 pm on December 22 when police in the unmarked car pulled alongside Akram and one of them showed him his warrant card and personal radio. Immediately and without warning he accelerated away with his wheels spinning," said Miss Crane.

The pursuit continued into Sandon Street, Newcastle Street and Bombay Street at speeds of up to 50mph. Akram drove through give way junctions .

In Bombay Street he turned into East Street where he passed a children's playground, accelerating towards the junction with Montrose Street. He failed to give way and turned into Coleridge Street, forcing an oncoming vehicle to take evasive action.

The chase moved to Stansfeld Street where Akram pulled on to the wrong side of the road and went straight through the give way junction.

"In Wellington Road he overtook other vehicles before accelerating across a totally blind junction. At this point the officers decided to terminate the chase," said Miss Crane. A few minutes later, officers in another car saw Akram in the maroon Nissan Maxim stationary in a queue of traffic on Billinge Road at the junction with Preston New Road.

Akram accelerated hard before turning into Woodbine Road then St Silas Road and Lynwood Road without slowing down or indicating.

He turned into Gibraltar Street before mounting the kerb in Dukes Brow when Akram fled on foot but was detained after a short chase.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said his client accepted that his driving had fallen well below the required standard. He said his initial flight had been caused by panic.

Mr Ditta said that having driven off, Akram accepted that he had seen the officers using their radios and realised they were police officers.