BURGLARS fleeing police in a getaway car reached speeds of 100mph before crashing, police have reported.

The car overturned, trapping the driver who broke his arm while a passenger suffered minor injuries.

He fled from the wreckage but was arrested 25 minutes later.

Police investigating the incident believe there may have been another passenger who escaped on foot.

The chase started in Seaham, County Durham, at 1.20am yesterday after a routine police patrol saw thieves breaking into the Zodiac Video shop, which is also an off-licence, in Marlborough Street.

The raiders made off in a red Ford Escort LX and headed for Sunderland.

A Durham Police spokesman said the car went through a red light in Stockton Road and travelled at up to 100mph on its ten-minute journey.

Shortly after turning into Burdon Lane it crashed and overturned.

The driver, from Ryhope, and the passenger, from the Hendon area of Sunderland, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The driver was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital and the passenger to Hartlepool's University Hospital.

The North-East police helicopter was called out to search the area.

The two men were not expected to be released from hospital until late last night or early tomorrow.

Cigarettes and alcohol taken from the shop were recovered.