POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a car hit a wall after possibly being forced off the road by another vehicle.

The three occupants of the light blue Ford Fiesta escaped with minor injuries. They were released after hospital treatment after the incident outside Seaton Holme, in Easington Village.

The car struck the wall before it rolled over and hit a lamppost at about 10.10am, on Saturday. Police said the car left the road after being hit from behind by a dark blue Ford Mondeo.

The vehicles, neither of which had been stolen, are thought to have travelled along Seaside Lane shortly before the crash.

The teenagers in the Fiesta weree from Easington and Horden.

The Mondeo was later found in West Avenue, Easington Colliery, and a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested, questioned and released on bail.

Police are trying to trace a third youth thought to have been in the car and are urging anyone who saw the two cars being driven in an erratic manner to come forward.

Detective Constable Cliff Thompson said: "This was a very serious incident and it was sheer good luck that the three young lads in Fiesta were not more badly injured.

"We are trying to establish whether the Fiesta crashed because the two cars collided by accident, or because it was rammed on purpose.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw the two cars to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterlee CID on 0191-586 2621.