FOUR men were arrested on Monday after a police chase through Knutsford town centre.

Officers used a stinger to burst the car's tyres in King Street.

Three of the men were arrested in Garden Road.

The fourth - the driver - fled on foot. A police dog tracked him down to Victoria Street.

"We heard the police sirens going like billyo and when they persisted we thought we had better have a look," said an elderly resident of Garden Road.

"I had been doing nicely with the gardening. I don't expect this kind of excitement at my age."

Knutsford patrols spotted the car, which is believed to have been stolen in Northwich last Wednesday, just before 3pm.

The driver refused to stop and was followed along Toft Road and down Adams Hill.

Police ambushed the men near the entrance to Tatton Park after a 10-minute chase through town centre.

At 3.15pm the car - with its radio still playing - was still blocking Garden Road and drivers were forced to mount the kerb to get past.

Inside the car were a petrol can and a grubby bag.

Egerton's later collected the car, which was examined by forensic experts.

Police released three of the men without charge. The driver, a 26-year-old from Knutsford, was remanded on police bail until April 7.

amoores@guardiangrp.co.uk