FIVE people have now been arrested after a gun was found in a car following a high speed chase and crash.

Two cars are believed to have been driving at high speed near Bolton Road in Bury just after 4pm yesterday.

The cars, a Fiat Punto and an Audi A4, then crashed in Croston's Road.

Police found a black handgun in the Punto, which has now been sent off for forensic analysis.

Police were first alerted to the incident at about 3.30pm yesterday, when a motorist on the M65 called to say someone in a red Fiat Punto had pointed a gun at them.

The incident happened between junctions 7 and 8 of the motorway.

Police said the Fiat Punto left the M65 at junction 8 and headed towards Bury on the A56.

After the crash, two men, aged 18 and 22, from Blackburn, and one woman aged 26, from Rossendale, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of a firearm.

Another two men, aged 33 and 37, both from Blackburn, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of affray.

They are all now in police custody and being quizzed by Lancashire police detectives.

Det Insp Mark Vaughton, of Blackburn Police, said: “We believe that the occupants of the Fiat Punto and the Audi are from the East Lancashire area and are known to one another.

"While we have recovered a firearm there is thankfully no suggestion that this was discharged at any point during the incident.

“Having said that, we are treating this extremely seriously and we are working closely with our colleagues in Greater Manchester Police to progress this inquiry.

"Investigations are ongoing and I would appeal for anyone who witnessed either of the two vehicles at any stage during this incident to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.