A HIGH-SPEED police chase which crossed two counties started after thieves took a safe from a pub.

Officers began the chase on the A64, after managers reported their safe had been taken from the Four Alls Inn, at Flaxton Moor.

A white Renault Clio was seen leaving the pub at 9.47 last night.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The car was spotted on the A64 heading west, and was followed to Copmanthorpe, on to the A1237 and towards Askham Richard. "We picked it up again on the A64 and followed it past Tadcaster."

He said West Yorkshire Police took up the chase as it passed the county line, and eventually stopped the car at 11pm in Aberford, near Garforth.

A woman and two men were arrested.

Updated: 14:39 Monday, March 31, 2003