NEIGHBOURS in a quiet Taunton street had a rude awakening last night (Tuesday) when a driver being chased by police smashed his car into another vehicle.

People rushed out of their homes after hearing the loud bang as police with sniffer dogs tried to track down the driver.

Darren Hemmings, of Trinity Road, said: "I ran out after hearing a loud crash and saw the smashed up car.

"The guy got out and legged it.

"Everybody came out of their houses and tried to find him.

"But the police were trying to get people back into their homes so the dogs could pick up the driver's scent."

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "A vehicle failed to stop for police in Taunton just after 9.30pm last night.

"A short time later it collided with a parked car in Eastleigh Court.

"The driver of the vehicle, a 24-year-old man, fled the scene before being arrested in Midford Road.

"He remains in police custody and enquiries are ongoing."