THREE people have been arrested after a 40-minute car chase.

The pursuit began after traffic police tried to pull over a Ford Mondeo for a routine check, in Wessington Way, Sunderland, at 1am yesterday.

The North East Air Support Unit helicopter tracked the car from the skies.

The pursuit came to an end after officers deployed a stinger, a metal grid covered in spikes, which burst the car's tyres.

The three occupants, who have not been named, were arrested for suspected aggravated vehicle taking and were last night helping police with their inquiries.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said no one was injured in the incident.