A TEENAGER was high on ecstasy when he ran into the path of a police car, an inquest heard.

Martin Barlow, aged 18, had taken a potentially lethal level of the drug and was also three times over the legal drink-drive limit, Bolton Coroner's Court heard yesterday.

The teenager had been running away from police officers on patrol in Bolton town centre when he was knocked down by a squad car in Bradshawgate on Friday, November 21, 2003. He suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead later that night at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Dr Gwen Ayers, a consultant clinical biochemist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said the effect of the drug could have made the Mr Barlow feel "invincible".

Tests revealed the teenager had taken a potentially lethal dose of the drug an hour or two prior to his death. He also tested positive for cannabis.

Asked how ecstasy would affect a person's judgement and co-ordination, Dr Ayers said: "The amount of ecstasy in Mr Barlow's blood had the potential to cause death on its own.

"It's a hallucinogen. It alters your perception. People take it because it makes them happy and describe the feeling as being high'. You feel as if you could conquer the world, as if you're invincible.

"This was a very large amount of ecstasy and the alcohol would have increased the effects."

Earlier in the inquest, the jury heard that Mr Barlow, of Crompton Road, Tonge Moor, a production worker for a cake company, was running away from police officers in the town centre when the collision happened.

He and a friend, Daniel Walsh, had been pointed out to police officers following a dispute with a doorman.

Taxi driver Martin Hamer said he had seen the pair being chased up Bank Street by a doorman.

Mr Hamer then described seeing one of the youths "bolt out into the road" into the path of the police car.

The hearing continues.