AN AUDI, believed to have been stolen, was driven around nine miles through Blackburn before crashing near Samlesbury, police said.

The incident, reported in Saturday’s Telegraph, happened on Friday afternoon after police saw the white vehicle, which is understood to have been taken from the Greater Manchester area.

Police said they spotted the car leaving the M65 at junction three at Blackburn. It is then understood to have gone along Preston Old Road, Buncer Lane and Preston New Road before stopping at the junction of the A59 and the A677 at Samlesbury, near the Samlesbury Hotel.

There was a collision involving four other vehicles. No serious injuries were reported.

The police helicopter was put up and police dogs and their handlers searched the area.

Two men were arrested nearby. They were taken to Preston Police Station before being taken to Manchester to be interviewed.