A POLICE officer told a court how he chased a car he believed armed raiders were using to get away in after a post office raid.

Prosecutors said a blue BMW was used by three men to flee the scene of an attempted robbery at Shotton Colliery Post Office, in east Durham, on June 10 last year.

PC Peter Ward was in a patrol car and told Newcastle Crown Court yesterday how he heard a radio call about the robbery in progress and headed to the scene.

But the officer and his colleague never made it to the shop after they became involved in a chase with what is believed to have been the getaway car.

PC Ward said: "There was a blue BMW coming towards me on the wrong side of the road at high speed."

He said he followed the vehicle, but told the court he lost sight of it at Wheatley Hill Front Street.

Members of the public directed him towards Ludworth after they saw the BMW heading that way.

PC Ward soon saw the vehicle again, but this time it was in flames.

He was given descriptions of three men seen running from the car and passed the information to the police helicopter.

Ian Hart, 31, of Goodyear Crescent, Sherburn Road Estate, Durham, Russell Snowdon, 29, of Holly Park, Ushaw Moor, George Appleby, 48, of Gilesgate, Durham, and Paul Sherrington, 37, of Millbrook, Gateshead, all pleaded not guilty to attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

It is said Mr Snowdon was parked in a silver Renault Clio near the post office acting as lookout.

The trial continues.