A 17-YEAR-OLD disqualified driver was involved in a high-speed car chase, a court heard yesterday.

The youth reached speeds of more than 100mph as police cars pursued him out of Darlington town centre and into the surrounding countryside.

Darlington Youth Court heard that a police helicopter circled overhead as the youth, from Trimdon, County Durham, attempted to shake off his pursuers along more than seven miles of road, before abandoning the car at Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, and attempting to run away with a male passenger.

Barry Smith, prosecuting, said the officers had spotted the youth driving in Darlington at 40mph, followed him and activated the sirens as a sign for him to pull over.

They radioed for road and air assistance when he sped away.

"The air support was able to track where the young men had run off to and they were apprehended at the scene," said Mr Smith.

The youth admitted charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Graham Hunsley, for the teenager, said his client had borrowed his friend's car.

He said the youth was already subject to a referral order imposed for similar driving offences.

Magistrates decided to adjourn the case for a full pre-sentence report and warned the youth of the likelihood of a custodial sentence. He will appear again before magistrates on May 7.