STUNNED onlookers watched as a high-speed police pursuit raced through the centre of Winchester .

One woman was almost hit by the speeding car which was seen racing away from police before crashing outside the Savannah Caf bar in Jewry Street.

Witnesses said a man in a black 5 series BMW came round the corner near Barclays Bank and struck two bollards as the drama unfolded around lunchtime yesterday.

Nick Rhodes, who saw the crash from Toni and Guy hair salon, said: "I could not believe it. He just got out as if nothing had happened. Then the police jumped on him and pinned him to the ground."

Caroline Eade, a clerical worker, said she was nearly hit by the car.

The 40-year-old said: "I can't believe he didn't kill anybody. I've never seen anything like that in Winchester."

A police spokesman said a 27-year-old man had been arrested but released no further details.