A suspected car thief tried to make the perfect getaway by racing down a flight of stairs but ended up being rescued by police after getting wedged between two walls.

In scenes reminiscent of the Italian Job, the 31-year-old plunged down the winding staircase in a Union Flag-topped Mini Cooper at 11.30pm last night.

Unfortunately for him, his car became stuck halfway down the path in Morpeth, Northumberland, and emergency services had to rescue him when he realised he couldn't even open the doors.

A suspected car thief's perfect getaway was ruined when the Mini Cooper he was driving in got stuck as he plunged down some stairs

After freeing the blundering man police arrested him for aggravated vehicle taking.

The scene has since been cordoned off as police try to work out how to free the vehicle.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: 'At about 11.30pm last night, Monday, March 12, police received a report of a vehicle and its driver stuck halfway down a public stairway in Carlisle Park, Morpeth.

'Emergency services attended and the driver was freed from the vehicle, a red Mini Cooper S. He was not injured during the incident.

'Enquiries into the incident are ongoing but a 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, and remains in police custody.

'The stairway has been cordoned off from the public, and arrangements are now being made to lift the vehicle out of the stairwell at 11pm this evening.

'Anyone with any relevant information should contact us on 101, quoting reference 1215 120318 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'