Police want to trace a driver who appears to have had a lucky escape after a car ended up wedged between two trees after flipping on its side then bursting into flames.

The police helicopter and dog handlers were deployed about 5am today (Saturday, March 14) out of concern for the welfare of the driver of the Volkswagen Golf which was well alight and jammed between two trees on the edge of a pond at the junction of Huxley Lane and Puddington Lane, just over a mile from Tiverton.

There was a fear the driver may have crawled out but be unconscious nearby but there was no sign of them despite an extensive search using a thermal imaging camera to check for body heat.

Fire crews from Tarporley and Chester, wearing breathing apparatus and using two hosereels, checked there was nobody inside the vehicle and extinguished the blaze. Police spoke to residents in a neighbouring property but the couple were oblivious to what had taken place. The householder arrived on scene to check out the damage to a low wall and the charred trees.

A recovery truck has now taken the car away. Police want to speak to the driver and are continuing their investigations.