A TEENAGE driver led police on a high speed chase which only ended after police deployed a stinger.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ethan Bowler collided with parked cars as his tyres deteriorated and eventually stopped and ran off.

He was caught after a short chase and when police searched the vehicle they found 10 wraps if heroin and 50 wraps of cocaine n the passenger footwell.

David Lawson, defending, said his client was 17 at the time of the offences and was a vulnerable young man.

"He is being looked after by various authorities and agencies in that regard," said Mr Lawson. "Further investigations are going to be carried out in regards to the drugs that were found and potential exploitation of this young man."

Bowler, 18, of Hall Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on various roads in Colne and Barrowford, driving without insurance or licence and driving while over the limit for cocaine and cannabis. He was remanded on bail until November 5 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Janice Vallance, prosecuting, said the defendant had been 17 at the time of the incident in March and had no previous convictions.

"It was a prolonged police pursuit which was ended by a stinger and he then made off on foot," said Miss Vallance.

She said police saw a car driven by a young man just after midnight and the fog lights were on.

They decided to speak to the driver and after initially pulling over Bowler sped off. He raced down a country lane, at times struggling to control the car on bends, and headed into Barrowford. At time he reached speeds of 70 mph in a 30 mph limit.

"You will be concerned that he had two drugs in his system at the time," said Miss Vallance. "The police discovered 10 wraps of heroin and 50 wraps of cocaine in the car and that is the subject of an ongoing police investigation."