A drunk driver who led police on a high-speed chase has been jailed for eight months.

David Freeman from Rossendale was also banned from driving for three years. 

In July, police had stepped up patrols following a spate of Ford Transit thefts. On the evening of July 10 Freeman failed to stop for officers who tried to stop his van in Rawtenstall. Unbeknown to the officers, Freeman hadn’t stolen the van but had been drinking.

Freeman drove drunk at high speeds and ignored several red traffic lights overtaking vehicles on the wrong side of the road and on bends in an attempt to get away.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police joined in the pursuit. The van was driven through Rochdale town centre into Littleborough where Freeman failed to negotiate a junction. He was arrested by Rossendale officers. 

A police spokesperson said: “Road safety is one of our priorities and with the run up to Christmas we will be doing plenty of drink drive checkpoints and stop checks. Please don’t drink and drive, it's not worth the risk of losing your licence or even worse seriously injuring or killing someone. 

“If you know someone who is drink driving you can report it online via our Lancashire police website and your report will remain in the strictest confidence.”