A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with a high speed police chase in Burnley on Friday.

The court was told that during the pursuit, also involving the police helicopter, the car driven by Adam Joshua Ashworth, narrowly missed a group of children who were on the pavement.

The vehicle reached speeds of 70mph in a 30 mph zone, went through red lights and narrowly avoided colliding with other cars during the 25-minute incident. Police cars which tried to box the vehicle in were rammed.

Ashworth, 30, of Barclay Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, with excess alcohol, without insurance and using threatening behaviour.

He pleaded not guilty to unauthorised vehicle taking aggravated by dangerous driving and was sent on bail to Burnley Crown Court to stand trial.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client accepted he was the driver and would plead guilty to simple dangerous driving.

"He maintains he had permission to drive the vehicle which will be the triable issue," said Mr Price.