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A teenager has been charged with a string of offences after a stolen car smashed into a lamppost following a police chase in Wirral.

Clayton Ronald Williams, 18, of King Street, Wallasey, has been charged with aggravated unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.

Shopworkers told how a red Vauxhall Astra narrowly avoided hitting a man in the road before smashing into the lamppost on Mostyn Street, Wallasey, at around 10.30am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said the car was stolen from the driveway of a home on Dalehurst Close, Wallasey sometime after 2am on Sunday morning, after thieves broke in and took a number of items including an iPad, mobile phone and a bag.

The Astra was seen being driven around Wirral in the early hours before being spotted by a police patrol on Egerton Street in New Brighton at around 10.20am.

Following a short pursuit, the car hit the side of an Audi A4 on Poulton Road before turning onto Mostyn Street, where it smashed into a lamppost and damaged a telegraph pole.

Police believe at least two people were in the car and are appealing for anyone with information to contact the force on 101.