FIVE people were arrested last night after a high-speed police chase following a raid on a corner shop.

The Co-op store on the corner of Lowson Street and North Road, in Darlington, was targetted at about 9.45pm last night.

The suspects escaped in a black Fiat Punto but were pursued by a team of expert traffic police, joined by a police helicopter.

The car was driven to Barnard Castle, speeding through the market town, before evading a police road block. But the car was abandoned on a farm track and the suspects made off on foot. The car came to a halt at Eggleston Abbey Farm, near Barnard Castle, and despite fleeing the vehicle, all five were arrested nearby. Inspector Craig Dixon praised the work of officers, and said the police helicopter played an important part in capturing the suspects.

He said: "It actually worked really well - the police helicopter makes it as safe in pursuit as is possible because we are able to see the road ahead."

One witness was going home after a meal in a nearby restaurant when they saw ten police cars. The woman, who asked not to be named, was driving a black car towards Barnard Castle, and was followed by police for a short distance. The the car arrived on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.

She said: "We could see some sort of roadblock up ahead and thought there must have been an accident. I asked my boyfriend to pull on to the verge in case any emergency vehicles wanted to pass. But just as he was about to, the Punto sped past the road block and right past us. He must have been a very good driver.

"One policeman smashed the window with his baton as the car drove past."

All five were taken to Darlington police station where they will be questioned this morning.