Speeds reached close to 100mph as a police pursuit tore through Sussex.

The suspect vehicle smashed into one police car as it raced through a string of towns and villages in two counties.

The chase only ended when the vehicle crashed into an oncoming car near Lewes.

A man aged 50 was arrested and police were later examining three large boxes found in the rear of the vehicle.

They were believed to be filled with hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis.

The drama, which lasted an hour, began at noon yesterday.

A VW Sharan people carrier sped away from a routine police check in Leatherhead, Surrey.

The vehicle went south and police set off in pursuit.

It hit the police car, which was left damaged on the A23 at Gatwick.

The Sussex Police helicopter picked up the trail at Handcross, near Haywards Heath.

The crew gave a running commentary to police in cars as the Sharan went through Cuckfield, Ansty, Burgess Hill and Hassocks.

Police said the vehicle travelled at speed through villages.

It even drove the wrong way along one-way streets during the dramatic chase.

It continued through to Clayton, rejoined the A23 at Pyecombe, close to the edge of Brighton before turning east onto the A27.

Police were still following the vehicle as it sped past Lewes before crashing into an on coming Rover near the Beddingham rail crossing shortly after 1pm.

Police leapt from their vehicles and made the arrest.

The driver, who suffered minor bruises, was taken to a police custody centre for interview.

The Sharan, with one wheel smashed and bodywork dented, was towed away for forensic examination.

Westbound traffic on the A27 backed up several miles before the road was re-opened.

The driver of the Rover escaped serious injury.

One police officer said: "Bearing in mind the length of the pursuit and the speeds reached, it was lucky no one was seriously hurt."

Police interviewed witnesses at the scene.

One man said: "The driver of the Rover was shaken up but looked okay.

"He gave his details to police before driving off.

"The Sharan was a right mess. There was damage on both sides of the vehicle and one tyre was torn off.

"Its a write off.

"I couldn't see what was in the boxes in the back or what was in the roof box but police seemed very interested in what was inside."