MOTORISTS dialled 999 after seeing two men driving a horse and cart at 10mph down the M56 at night without any lights.

The men, who had been drinking, refused to stop for police during their 40-minute journey between Frodsham and Elton on Sunday.

Police used a 10mph rolling road block to slow traffic and escorted the horse, trap and riders off at Elton.

They arrested the men after they crashed the cart into a parked car.

Police spokeswoman Jacqui Hanson said: “At 11.15pm on Sunday, we received calls from concerned motorists that a pony and trap were trotting erratically westbound along the hard shoulder of the M56 between junction 12 and junction 14.

“Officers instigated a rolling block and a number of police cars slowed down the traffic on the motorway while another patrol spoke to the men.

“They refused to stop and were followed from the motorway at about 5-10mph into Elton. At about 11.50pm the cart collided with a parked car and the two men were arrested.

“An equine hospital was called and took the horse away to be cared for until one of the men could collect it. The RSPCA will be keeping an eye on its welfare.”

A 27-year-old man from St Helens and 38-year-old man from Queensferry were charged with driving a prohibited vehicle and have been released on police bail.

Both men are thought to be from the Travelling community.