ARMED police used a stinger to stop a suspected drunk driver in the early hours of Good Friday, The Press has learned.

North Yorkshire Police were contacted by a member of the public who saw a man leave the Puss In Boots pub in Hamilton Drive and drive away in a Skoda, at about 12.30am.

The armed officers were the closest unit in a marked police car at the time, and pursued the Skoda, which was seen to hit the kerb a number of times but would not pull over following requests by police.

Officers deployed the stinger when the vehicle reached Kingsway West, puncturing all four tyres on the Skoda, and the 36-year-old man was arrested after failing to provide a breath test for dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

He has been released on bail to a later date.