TRAFFIC in Petersfield was brought to a standstill when a police car was involved in a collision with a motorcycle after a high-speed pursuit.

The chase came to a climax at the level crossing in Petersfield, where motorists were waiting at the gates for a train to pass.

Onlookers watched in horror as the motorcyclist tried desperately to find a way out and ended up in collision with police and a Ford Ka.

Police had been chasing the motorcycle, which was spotted with an illegal number plate, along the A3 at Longmoor.

But when the 26-year-old from Middlesex was pulled over, he sped off and made his way through West Liss and into Petersfield at what police say were speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Sergeant Paul Baines from Whitehill's traffic department said: "We pulled him over on the A3 intending to have a few words about the size of his number plate.

"But he sped off, went through West Liss, and got back on the A3 before coming off at Petersfield."

He added: "The gates were down at the level crossing, which presented him with a few problems. He drove down the offside of the traffic but couldn't get over the tracks.

"He ran out of ideas so we started to follow him to the gates. But he tried to turn round and got it all wrong. He ended up crashing into the front of my car and hit another Ford."

Motorists and people at the station watched the incident unfold last Thursday afternoon as they were waiting for the 3-23 pm from London Waterloo to Portsmouth.

Severe traffic problems followed as motorists backed up on both sides of the crossing along Station Road. Police were forced to stop traffic until the scene was cleared.

Vehicles reached as far as McDonald's on one side of the crossing and Petersfield town councillor John Crowhurst told The Herald that he was stuck in a jam that reached Churcher's College in Rams Hill.

The bike rider, whom police say was disqualified from driving, was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth with an injured leg but discharged himself.

Sgt Baines said: "The man discharged himself without treatment and made his way to the Petersfield police station off his own back.

"We took him to Alton when he complained about pains in his leg so he was taken to Basingstoke, where I believe he discharged himself again."

The man was released on bail and is due to return to Alton police station on June 26.