A driver hit speeds in excess of 156mph as he led police on a chase.

And a helicopter was put on alert as support to the cross-border pursuit.

The man who was behind the wheel - 28-year-old Paul Robertson - was today jailed for nine months and had his BMW car confiscated for dangerous driving.

A court heard how he had been attempting to drive out of a service area at Gretna against the flow of traffic when police noticed the car with a damaged wing and headlight area.

Officers drew up alongside to speak to him.

But the Sheriff at Dumfries was told that the driver suddenly accelerated away and headed south on the M74.

Fiscal depute Alison Herald said: “The police car gave chase and reached a top speed of 156 miles an hour, but the taillights of the BMW were pulling away in the distance.”

As the chase headed over the border onto the M6, the Scottish officers notified Cumbria police traffic cars and also the helicopter unit.

The prosecutor added: "The 28-mile chase continued south before any trace of the car was lost near Penrith."

Robertson was eventually traced next day at his home.

In the dock, Robertson, of Donmouth Court, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously in excess of 156 miles an hour on the M74 last December, attempting to drive out of the petrol station at Gretna Services against the flow of traffic and accelerating harshly away from a police vehicle in darkness.

Solicitor Stephanie Buck told the court that Robertson had been heading from Aberdeen to Liverpool and had panicked when approached by the police.

In addition to the jail sentence and forfeiture of the car, Robertson was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to resit a test before regaining a driving licence.