POLICE patrol officers from two forces were led on a lengthy pursuit after two young men took a car to get home from a camping trip.

Steven Bellerby and a friend took the Vauxhall Astra from outside the owner's home in Crook, County Durham, intending to make their way back to Horden, in the east of the county.

Durham Crown Court was told the owner awoke at the sound of the car being taken, early on April 18 last year, and alerted her husband and son.

They rang police but also used another vehicle to follow the car, which turned west on the A689.

Durham Police officers took up the pursuit in Eastgate, Weardale, but when the patrol vehicle came within about 75 metres of the Astra, it accelerated.

Warren Grier, prosecuting, said the Astra travelled in excess of 60mph, swerving constantly into the opposite carriageway.

On reaching Cowshill, in upper Weardale, neighbouring forces were alerted.

The Astra turned north towards Allenheads, Northumberland, at one stage reaching 80mph in a 40mph area, losing control several times.

Northumbria Police officers took up the pursuit and noticed the passenger gesticulating at them as the car continued to veer across the road.

Mr Grier said the pursuit carried on through Hexham on to the A69 west, before it made a u-turn.

It ended when three police cars surrounded the Astra, which collided with the central reservation and came to a halt.

Both occupants fled the scene, but were arrested after they were found hiding in a field by a heat-seeking device in a police helicopter.

Mr Grier said Bellerby gave a breath reading of 51 micrograms of alcohol compared to a legal limit for driving of 35.

Bellerby, 20, of Smillie Road, Horden, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, excess alcohol, and having no insurance.

Nick Cartmell, in mitigation, said that Bellerby and his passenger fell out with three friends while camping at Wolsingham and began walking home, but became cold and tired and decided to "borrow" a car to get back to Horden.

Deputy Circuit Judge Denis Orde, sentencing Bellerby to 15 months in a young offenders' institution, said it was lucky no one was killed.

Bellerby was also banned from driving for a year.