A car crashed on a busy shopping street in Rishton after speeding away from police.

The Volkswagen Golf collided with a Saab travelling in the opposite way just seconds after flying over the bridge on Hermitage Street.

It then continued through the town centre before losing control at the pelican crossing on the High Street.

Shoppers then saw the male driver and female passenger get out of the car and run off in opposite directions.

Angus MacLean, was on his way to Accrington when the Volkswagen suddenly struck his Saab car as he turned onto High Street.

The 68-year-old, who owns Toppers Day Nursery on Henry Street, said: "I saw the car come over the bridge and all four wheels were airborne. It was then that I knew there was a problem.

He added: "It was frightening. It all happened so quickly. My car took the impact, but it’s a well-designed car and that’s what saved us, there’s no doubt about it."

Mr MacLean suffered a cracked rib and both he and his wife, Annalene, aged 63, suffered whiplash in the incident.

David Farrar, the owner of E. Howath’s furniture store on High Street, was in his car with his 17-year-old son, Reece, as the Volkswagen crashed into the pelican crossing near his shop.

David, 44, said: "I was pulling up in front of my shop when the car came skidding all the way down the street and smashed into the crossing."

David added that Corinne Hartley, who works at his shop, had chased after the woman passenger to perform a citizen’s arrest.

The male driver had climbed onto the roof of Fitness 4 U on Henry Street and was arrested by police after he climbed down a lamppost.

It is believed the Volkswagen Golf was stolen from Carnforth last Thursday, July 1.

A police spokesman said at 1.45pm on Tuesday, July 6, officers spotted the Golf at junction seven of the M65 and began to follow it.

Five minutes later the vehicle stopped at Dunkenhalgh Way an officer approached the car but it sped off, sparking the police pursuit which came to an end in Rishton.

High Street was closed for five hours while accident investigators carried out their work and sergeant Peter Sculpher, from the Road Policing Unit, said: "I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and contact us. I am also keen to speak to anyone who saw the car prior to the collision.

"Fortunately nobody was seriously injured with a number of people receiving treatment for minor injuries at the scene.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Blackburn police on 01254 51212.

n A man has been charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, failing to stop after a road accident, driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.

He appeared at Hyndburn Magistrates on Wednesday.

A 24-year-old woman from the Blackpool area has been released without charge.