A MOTORIST who fled the scene when the car he was driving flipped onto its roof after hitting two parked cars is wanted by police.

The green Mazda 2 Sport crashed on Priestman Avenue in The Grove, Consett, County Durham, at about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Two parked cars were damaged, and one man gave chase as the driver ran off in the direction of Consett town centre.

Resident Tracey Laing said: “I was sitting near the front window when I heard a massive bang.

“There was a car on its roof. I got a coat and some shoes on and when I ran out a lad ran up the street and someone ran after him.

“He had hit two cars and one of them is pretty badly damaged. Everyone came out to have a look.”

One the parked cars, a silver VW Polo, suffered a badly dented front wing.

The rear wing of black Alfa Romeo was also scraped and bent.

The police helicopter was scrambled but no-one has been arrested yet.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “We are looking for a man who we believe got out of the car and made good his escape.

“The car has been lifted and we have got CSI currently doing a forensic examination. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The suspect is 20 to 30 years old, with short blond hair and was wearing a black t-shirt and black tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.