A YOUNG driver led police on a 56- minute high-speed pursuit which only ended when his tyres were deflated by a stinger.

Blackburn magistrates heard the police helicopter was used to keep track of the car driven by Zafran Qayum, 20, as it sped across Blackburn and Hyndburn.

The court was told that at one stage the Ford Escort was driven down Shear Brow, one of the steepest roads in Blackburn, at more than 70mph.

And, in a bizarre twist, as police followed the car along Appleby Street another civilian car took up a position behind the police car and joined in the chase.

Qayum, who lives in Shear Brow, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and without insurance. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentence after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the 56- minute chase in the early hours last Monday represented extreme danger to other road users. He said the chase took in much of the two boroughs as Qayum reached speeds of 80mph.

"He was not insured and he hasn't even passed a driving test," said Mr White.

Mr White said many red lights were shot, no-entry signs ignored, and the car frequently travelled the wrong side of road markings and bollards.

He added: "At one stage as it turned into Montague Street, from Preston New Road, a milk van had to take emergency avoiding action.

"Later he lost control and mounted the central reservation in Yew Tree Drive before he was eventually brought to a stop by a stinger in Preston New Road."

Mr White said the motorist who joined in the chase was stopped and received a fixed penalty.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said that once he was arrested Qayum co-operated fully with the police and had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. "He knows it is a serious offence and he accepts that ultimately he will go to jail," said Mr Ditta.

Police said Qayum was initially spotted on Whalley New Road at 2.27am and failed to stop.

Officers said he drove up through Whitebirk and towards Audley Range before heading down Blackburn Road into Accrington.

He then tried to lose police, according to officers, by heading back down Hyndburn Road and Dunkenhalgh Way on to the M65.

Police said he then came off at junction six and headed through Little Harwood, before driving around side streets around Whalley Range, Shear Brow and St James' Road.