THREE men were arrested following a car chase from Burnley to Nelson yesterday morning.

The pursuit was launched in the Daneshouse area at around 7am after a red VW Golf sped through a red light and unknowingly past a police inspector in an unmarked car waiting at the light.

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A police helicopter already in the air looking for a stolen car was called to help officers catch the trio after the hatchback failed to stop, a police spokesman said.

“The car suffered some sort of failure and broke down, and the occupants ran off.”

Three men were later arrested police said. Two men were released without charge after it was discovered the car was not stolen.

The third, a local man aged 20, remained in custody yesterday after being arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for a police officer, and dangerous driving.

He was de-arrested for taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and was due to be quizzed by policedetectives. Nobody was injured in the chase, the spokesman added.