POLICE patrol officers from two forces were led on a lengthy pursuit after two young men took a car in a bid 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 that the owner awoke at the sound of the car being taken, early last April 18, and alerted her husband and son. They rang police but also used another vehicle to follow the car, which turned back westwards on the A689.

Durham Police traffic officers took up the pursuit in Eastgate, Weardale, but when the patrol vehicle came within 50 - 100 metres of the Astra, it accelerated away.

Warren Grier, prosecuting, said the Astra travelled in excess of 60-miles per hour, swerving constantly into the opposite carriageway. On reaching Cowshill, in upper Weardale, neighbouring forces were alerted.

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

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

Mr Grier said the pursuit carried on through Hexham, onto the A69 westbound, before the Astra did a u-turn and headed back eastwards.

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 being found hiding in a nearby field by a heat-seeking device in the 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 no insurance.

Nick Cartmell, mitigating said Bellerby and his passenger fell out with three other 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 in the escapade.

Bellerby was also banned from driving for a year.