A man has been charged after a 40-mile Christmas Eve pursuit which required a police helicopter.

Officers began their pursuit near Reigate, Surrey, when they received a report of a stolen Ford Focus on the M25 at around 9.30pm.

The car failed to stop and was chased all the way down to the A27 near Lancing before police intercepted it.

One police car was damaged in the chase.

The Argus: Damage to the police carDamage to the police car (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Sonny Breakspear, 34, of no fixed address, was later charged with driving a vehicle without consent of the owner, dangerous driving, causing criminal damage to a police vehicle, driving without a licence, failing to stop and driving without insurance.

He was also charged with criminal damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm for an incident which took place on 8 December in Dorking, Surrey as well as malicious communication for an incident on 15 December.

He is due to appear before Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 27.