A VAN driver has been arrested after allegedly ramming a police vehicle and leading officers on a pursuit around Westhoughton.

A police helicopter was called in to help bring the motorist to a stop.

Several residents said they had spotted the driver, while another claimed he "nearly hit me, my partner and our dog, glad he's been caught".

The pedestrian told the Bolton News: "As we were crossing the road, he came out of nowhere and nearly hit me, my partner and our dog. Luckily we stepped back onto the pavement otherwise we would have been hit. He drove into oncoming traffic."

Another posted on the Our Westhoughton Facebook page: "Police helicopter out, chasing a van that just tore through Westhoughton after pulling out of Platt Lane on the wrong side of the road. Chased by a police van. Hope they catch them."

Officers deployed a 'stinger' — a tyre deflation device — to stop the van.

Greater Manchester Police's traffic division tweeted this morning: "This van was asked to stop after the driver went through a no entry.

"He then rammed the police van before leading officers on a pursuit around Westhoughton.

"After being stung the van was abandoned and the driver was detained with the help of National Police Air Service (NPAS) Barton #fatal5 #teamwork #transportunit."