MOTORISTS were forced to take evasive action when a driver headed the wrong way down 18 miles of dual carriageway, police have said.

Cleveland Police were alerted about the manner in which a Black Proton car was being driven, via 999 calls made by passers-by in Middlesbrough town centre, on Sunday morning.

Terrified motorists and taxi drivers then called police as the Proton turned on to the A66 and drove west along the eastbound carriageway.

Durham Police became involved as the car was reported as reaching speeds of 60mph, crossing the forces' jurisdiction line, travelling from Teesside into County Durham.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "As he came on to the A66 we had a number of calls from anxious motorists, including taxi drivers, and had monitored him going on to the A66.

"Police were in a predicament because the police could not follow down the wrong side of the road. They tried to stop him at several junctions.''

A Cleveland Police crew stopped the Proton on the roundabout at Great Burdon, on the edge of Darlington, without accident.

A force spokeswoman said: "There were a lot of cars having to swerve to avoid him. It was extremely lucky a serious traffic accident did not occur.''

A 31-year-old Stockton man has been arrested for drink driving offences and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Cleveland Police are appealing for motorists who saw the Proton, to contact them on (01642) 301558.

It is the second incident on Teesside this month of a motorist driving the wrong way along the A66.

Ten days ago, a woman in her 50s drove the wrong way down the A66 at North Ormesby, after becoming confused with a new interchange.

Realising the mayhem she had caused, she managed to turn her car round and drive off in the correct direction, before police arrived at the scene