A DRAMATIC high-speed chase through Weymouth’s country lanes ended when a car at the centre of the pursuit hit an unmarked police vehicle.

Several police cars pursued a blue-grey Vauxhall Vectra from Chickerell through Coldharbour and Nottington.

Eyewitnesses said the chase on Saturday night, which also involved the police helicopter, ended as the Vauxhall collided with an unmarked police car close to the junction of Nottington Lane and Dorchester Road.

Liz Collins, who was camping on a site close to where the incident ended, said they heard manic police activity.

She said: “The car they looked to be chasing went through a chicane and crashed into an unmarked police car trying to block them.

“There was an almighty bang.

“It was quickly followed by about five other police cars and the helicopter was also up. There were an awful lot of police.

“The car was obviously damaged as you could hear it.

“They then caught the guy further up the road.”

Muriel Brown, who lives at the end of Nottington Lane, said she returned from her night out at around 9pm to see police talking to two men at the side of the road.

Michael Honebon, who also lives on Nottington Lane, said he had noticed the police helicopter up for a long time during the incident.

“It was up there quite a while and it was getting dark as it had its lights on,” he said.

Police said a 25-year-old man from the Weymouth area was arrested although they refused to reveal the reason for the pursuit.

Detective Constable Chris Hurrell, of Dorset Police, confirmed a pursuit had taken place involving ‘a number of police vehicles, the police helicopter and a dog unit.

“A man is now helping us with our enquiries,” said DC Hurrell.

“I would ask anyone who saw the Vauxhall on Saturday night to call Dorset Police on 01305 222222.”