POLICE had to avoid a washing machine which fell from a van in a car chase yesterday.

Officers received reports of a van driving recklessly and hitting two vehicles in Lanfranc Road in Worthing at 4.30pm.

Police pursued the vehicle after it did not stop in Goring, and had to brake to avoid the washing machine after it dropped from the rear doors of the van into their path.

Officers were assisted by a National Police Air Service helicopter in the chase, which continued through Lancing onto the A27 in Worthing, where the vehicle was stopped.

Three people were taken into custody, including an 18-year-old man of no fixed address, who was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving while under the influence of drugs.

An 18-year-old man from Worthing was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to stop for police, common assault on an emergency worker, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

A 16-year-old boy from Worthing was arrested on suspicion of common assault on an emergency worker, dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision and failing to stop for police.

Anyone with information is asked to report online or call 101, quoting serial 807 of 24/03.