A police car on a 999 call veered off the road, uprooting a postbox, after colliding with another car last night.

The driver of a Saab was trapped for 30 minutes and had to be cut free after his vehicle rolled on to its side.

The police car, its blue lights flashing and siren on, was believed to have been responding to reports of a stolen car in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, when the smash happened at 10pm. Police closed the stretch of Lewes Road near to its junction with St Martin's Place as an investigation was launched.

Two crews from Preston Circus fire station and one from Roedean removed the Saab's roof to free the man.

He remained conscious and was not thought to be seriously hurt.

Sub-officer Peter Boakes, of Preston Circus station, said: "The paramedics were quite content with his condition. The driver was conscious. He told us he was just driving home."

The police car was believed to have been trying to overtake the Saab.

Cyclist Steve Buss, who witnessed the aftermath, said: "It looked like a pretty big smash.

"The front of the police car was well and truly stoved in, while the side of the other car had a big dent in it. The mailbox was knocked over."

The Saab driver was taken to hospital.

The names of those involved have not been released by Sussex Police which operates data protection guidelines.