A TEENAGE motorist fleeing police ended the chase after he phoned his mother and she told him to stop.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Luke White pulled onto the M6 hard shoulder after leading officers in an eight minute pursuit at up to 90mph in the early hours of July 3.

Brian Berlyne, prosecuting, told how police spotted 19-year-old White's Renault Megane on St Helens Road, Leigh at 12.15am.

But apprentice farrier White, fearing he was not insured, refused to stop.

The teenager drove at up to 70mph in a 30mph limit, sometimes on the wrong side of the road, spread through two sets of red traffic lights and onto the southbound carriageway of the M6.

However, he decided to pull over and stop near junction 21.

"He stopped because he phoned his mother and she told him to stop," said Mr Berlyne.

Nicholas Ross, defending, told how White, of Slag Lane, Lowton, had no previous convictions.

"This was clearly out of character," said Mr Ross, who added that, as a result of the offence, he lost his apprenticeship although he has since found other work.

Mr Ross said that White is aware of poor behaviour and has told him: "Police have better things to do than chase idiots like me."

He added that the teenager has had counselling for anxiety and depression and no longer smokes cannabis.

"This has been a bitter and expensive experience for him," he said.

White, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, was sentenced to 10 months in a young offenders' institution suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from driving for 30 months after which he will have to take an extended retest.

The teenager must also do 100 hours of unpaid work, participate in five days or rehabilitation activities and pay £250 towards prosecution costs.