Two wanted men were arrested after a car chase on the A1(M) near Chester-le-Street.

Both were arrested by officers, after they tried to flee into nearby woodland, on suspicion of money laundering and possession of weapons.

Information was received on Thursday (August 29) that a vehicle believed to contain two wanted men was travelling into the Durham area via the motorway.

Patrolling Durham Roads and Armed Policing officers picked up the vehicle on the A1(M) near Chester-le-Street and instructed the vehicle to pull over by lighting up their blues.

Instead, the vehicle took the next junction, and the driver dumped the car in a hedgerow in an attempt to make a getaway.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "PC Surtees and Murphy chased two men into woodland and located one hiding in some bushes.

"They were quickly followed by PCs Robinson and Rispin from the Dog Support Unit who located and detained a second man.

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"A large quantity of cash was found by the officers, along with a mobile phone.

"On searching the vehicle, officers also located several weapons which have now been seized and will be forensically examined along with the other items.

"The men, aged 28 and 26, remain in police custody and will be questioned later today by the investigation team."