TWO drivers involved in a 'road race' that ended in an horrific crash have been jailed.

Paul Douglas, aged 23, of Holland Street, Crewe, and Christopher Hulme, aged 20, of Sandon Park Gardens, Crewe, were both jailed for 12 months for dangerous driving. They were also banned from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended re-test before they get their licences back.

Their 'race' on the Haslington by-pass, ended when Paul Douglas' car, driving on the wrong side of the road, was in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle.

His car broke into several pieces and caught fire. He was trapped, and was rescued by passers-by, including Sergeant Ian Holley, a police officer in an unmarked car who had been passed by the two and followed them in an attempt to stop them.

The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision, a 65 year-old market trader received serious leg injuries and has been unable to work since the crash, in May, 2005.

PC Pete Benningwood, who investigated the collision, said: 'It is a case which illustrates the stupidity of racing on public roads. These two men created a dangerous situation which has had a serious effect on someone else's life and their own.

'One of them narrowly avoided being burned to death in the wreckage of his car and they will both now spend time in prison.

'We can only hope that the facts of the case will act as a lesson to anyone who is tempted to do this sort of thing.'

The two men were sentenced at Mold Crown Court.

Douglas had pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving charge at a previous hearing at Crewe Magistrates Court.

Hulme pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury. He was convicted after a hearing at Knutsford Crown Court.