Four teenage joyriders, including three 16-year-olds, were arrested following a dramatic cat and mouse game with police in and around a string of North Wiltshire villages over the weekend.

They led police along rural lanes through Yatton Keynell, Castle Combe, Grittleton, Hullavington and Sherston before they were eventually forced to a halt on the edge of Easton Grey, near Malmesbury.

A police helicopter was involved in the episode, which began just after 6pm on Saturday when a Perodua MYVI car was stolen during a burglary in Bristol.

It was later reported to be in the Calne area before officers spotted the vehicle in Corsham where they attempted to stop it.

However, the driver failed to stop, which sparked a pursuit that lasted for around an hour.

Easton Grey resident John Tremayne, who is chair of the parish meeting, was in his garden at around 6.30pm when he became aware of police activity.

He said: "Two police cars came through the village at speed and with sirens on. About three-quarters of an hour later a police helicopter was hovering above, which I thought was a bit peculiar."

Mr Tremayne said the helicopter remained in the vicinity for around 20 minutes, indicating that the car the officers were pursuing was dodging in and around the Easton Grey area for sometime.

He had no idea what exactly the police operation was about until before informed by the Wiltshire Constabulary on Monday.

Police said the pursuit finished just before 8pm outside of Easton Grey at the junction with the B4040 Westonbirt Road.

Three males aged 16 and one man aged 19, and all from Bristol, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of a vehicle and released on bail pending further inquiries.

Acting Sergeant Paul Brewster said: "We would like to thank, in particular, the communities in Yatton Keynell, Castle Combe, Grittleton, Hullavington and Sherston for their support and understanding during this time, when several police cars travelled through the villages to stop the vehicle.

"We would also like to thank everyone in the rural communities who assisted Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset officers.

"This was an excellent result, and a good example of local officers, Tri-Force officers and the police helicopter from Filton, working together."