A TEENAGE girl endured the journey from hell when a taxi driver went on an erratic tour of County Durham, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

During the late-night drama, the minibus crashed at least four times and only stopped when it smashed into a metal fence.

On one occasion, the taxi hit a car, injuring its two female passengers, and the driver made off.

The young woman was the only passenger on board the taxi for most of the 90-minute journey on Sunday.

The white 14-seater minibus started its journey at the Crosshills Hotel, in Sedgefield, at about midnight on Sunday, where it picked up two teenage passengers.

The driver then travelled to nearby Bishop Middleham to drop one of the girls off.

At about 12.45am, the taxi hit an ornate lamppost in Church Street, and two stationary vehicles, a pick-up truck and a green Ford Fiesta, in South View.

The route the driver then took is unclear, because he told the girl he was lost, but he is known to have travelled through Shildon at about 1.30am.

The minibus travelled down Adelaide Bank, also known as Busty Bank, and on to Rosemount Road, where it smashed into a blue Citroen AX and failed to stop.

The car's two female occupants suffered minor injuries.

Minutes later, the vehicle crashed into railings outside the Asda store, in South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, and was forced to stop.

The minibus is a write-off and the cost of damage caused along the route is not yet known.

PC Anne-Marie Gray, of Bishop Auckland police, said: "Anyone who saw this would know about it and we need to hear from all witnesses.

"One of the teenage girls was being carried in the vehicle throughout and although she was only slightly injured, she was badly shaken by the events that took place."

Anyone who saw the events has been asked to contact Bishop Auckland police on 0845 60 60 365.

* A 56-year-old man from Trimdon Station was arrested at the scene of the accident in South Church Road and has been bailed pending inquiries.