POLICE have spoken of their surprise at finding a car full of chickens after chasing a motorist who failed to stop.

Officers from Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit were on routine patrol when they became aware of a car and started to follow it, between Horden and Easington, County Durham, last night (Monday, April 19).

The driver continued and abandoned the car in Peterlee. He ran off, but was arrested in nearby woods. When police checked the car they found it packed with chickens and tools believed to have been taken in a burglary earlier in the evening.

Sergeant Kev Salter, of Durham Constabulary, said: “We were on a routine patrol when we spotted a Volkswagen Golf travelling at high speed.

“We pursued the vehicle towards Horden. The vehicle tried to lose us and even tried to hide down a side street.

“It then sped off towards Peterlee and finally came to a stop. The driver left the vehicle and tried to hide in some nearby trees but we found and arrested him.

“When we carried out a search of the car we found a number of high-value power tools including circular saws and chainsaws.

“But we were also surprised to find around 12 chickens in the car.

“It is not every day you stop a vehicle and find it packed full of chickens.”

A 19-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and is helping police with enquiries.

Two passengers who were in the vehicle escaped and are wanted by police.

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101.