A man and women ran off yesterday after crashing a car, which is thought to have been stolen.

They drove away after colliding with a wall in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, and then abandoned the vehicle two miles away on the outskirts of Ingleton, near Darlington.

Two people, probably in their twenties, were seen running towards houses at Nursery End, Ingleton, but police who were called found no trace of them.

A police spokesman said it was possible they called someone to pick them up in another car."

Police are trying to trace the registered owner of the damaged car, which was towed away for examination.