A stolen caravan was pursued by police across the Oxfordshire countryside before bursting into flames.

The caravan, which was stolen from a driveway, was followed for about 10 miles before a police 'stinger' device was laid across the road at Stadhampton.

The stinger's spikes burst two tyres on the stolen Vauxhall Frontera and one on the caravan it was towing.

For the next five miles, sparks flew as the caravan and car continued to be driven - on their rims.

Police drivers managed to get the thief to stop just yards from the M40 and seconds later the caravan was on fire.

In September, a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a conditional discharge for 24 months for theft at Oxford Magistrates' Court.

Richard Eccles, 27, of Alden Crescent, Barton, Oxford, is now serving a jail sentence for two years and 159 days for theft, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and insurance, failure to surrender, robbery and two attempted robberies after a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.

Pc Pete Billingham, who was in the pursuit car, said: "I just could not believe what I was seeing. I couldn't believe he was not going to stop."

The caravan was stolen from Goring.

It was followed by a police car for about 15 miles until the stinger was laid in the road at Stadhampton.

Pc Billingham and driver Pc Mark Gulliford followed the vehicle for another five miles. When it reached Little Milton the burst tyre on the caravan flew off, sending sparks into the air as the metal rims ran on the road.

The pursuit - which rarely reached speeds above 25mph - took place at about 3am on July 8. Often the thief veered on to the wrong side of the road to stop police overtaking.

Pc Billingham added: "We were worried it was going to get to the motorway junction and drive on to the wrong carriageway.

"The idea of a car driving on its wheels with sparks flying and the caravan on fire driving towards oncoming traffic was a nightmare."

After the car - which was also running on its rims - and the caravan passed through Little Milton and reached junction seven of the M40, police managed to overtake and force the driver to stop.

Pc Billingham said: "I think he was hoping the caravan would become detached or set on fire and we would have to stop.

"I don't know where he was intending to go but we weren't going to let him get on the motorway. It was close enough - he could have quite easily hung a right and got on."

"It is the first time in 13 years I've been involved in a pursuit with a caravan."