A NIGHT-TIME police pursuit of a car through the Dorset countryside ended in a crash and officers chasing a suspect on foot.

The vehicle being followed was seen to go through a hedge at one point as it was followed by police.

It is understood 'eight or nine' police vehicles were involved in the chase.

The drama began at Littlemoor in Weymouth when police attempted to stop a vehicle and speak to the driver.

It led to a pursuit covering about five miles through Upwey and on the B3159 towards Winterbourne Abbas.

Villagers saw the car being pursued through Martinstown by an 'undercover' police car.

They said the car being followed 'went through a hedge,' just before the turning towards Hardy's Monument off Burnside.

Police officers later made an arrest after a foot chase.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 9.02pm on Wednesday, July 24 that a vehicle had failed to stop for officers in the Littlemoor area of Weymouth.

"It was reported that the vehicle made off from officers and was subsequently involved in a collision in the Martinstown area. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

"It was reported that the driver of the vehicle made off from the scene on foot.

"Following searches in the area, a Weymouth man aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of driving offences.

"The arrested man was released on bail pending further enquiries. There is no mention of any injuries."