POLICE were today searching for the driver of a car which ploughed through a hedge and somersaulted into a field at an accident blackspot.

The driver had left the scene when police arrived at the accident near the Duckworth Hall pub, Haslingden Old Road, Oswaltdtwistle.

Officers using dogs were called into search the area for the driver of the J-registered Rover Metro, which landed on its side just after 8am.

Police are investigating the possibility that the car may have been stolen.

Nearby resident Peter Shorrock said he heard a huge bang and left his house to find the car's wreckage in a field.

He said: "From the marks on the field it looks like it has somersaulted and landed 50 yards into the field. The car was a right mess."

He said there had been several accidents on the stretch of road.

A police spokesman said: "Police dog units have been called into search for the driver. At this stage we cannot confirm if the car was stolen."

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