THE police helicopter was drafted in to find a man on the run in Appleton after a police car was rammed this morning.

Air support was called to the area at 4am today, Wednesday, after police spotted a group of people in a vehicle acting suspiciously.

Officers followed the vehicle, which then rammed the police car on Lumb Brook Road.

A 33-year-old man, from Warrington, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and theft of a motor vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle ran away from the scene and a police search was carried out with the help of air support.

A 29-year-old man, from Warrington, was arrested at around 5am on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance and refusing a roadside breath test and drug wipe.

A 26-year-old woman, from Manchester, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three remain in custody for questioning.