TWO men have been arrested in connection with the theft of a car which was crashed on the outskirts of Carlisle.

Police have also caught up with a third man who they believe was also in the car before it crashed on the B5299 between Dalston and Welton Road, near the Ben Hodgson used car garage. 

The car, a black Vauxhall Corsa, crashed in a ditch at 9.45am before its occupants fled the scene. 

"We've arrested two men so far in connection with it," said a spokesman for Cumbria Police. "It's believed there was three men in the car at the time and we've caught up with the third person."

A 23-year-old Carlisle man is one of those who have been arrested. 

Traffic is slow in both directions.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101.