VIDEO: Dramatic near miss footage shows reckless driver fleeing police by speeding through a public park in Preston

The footage - filmed at 8.24pm on Monday (April 15) - appears to show a black Ford Fiesta speeding along Egerton Road in Ashton and continuing across Pedders Lane without pausing for approaching traffic.

The reckless driver darts across Pedders Lane, narrowly missing an oncoming car, before mounting the pavement and charging across Ashton Park.

Other motorists can be seen braking suddenly to avoid a collision before a police car arrives at the scene.

It is understood that the reckless driver then crashed into metal railings at a children's play area on the Larches Lane side of the park before fleeing the scene.

The mangled railings have since been repaired by Preston City Council and the play area remains open to the public.

A spokeswoman for the city council said: “Following a police incident, some railings and equipment on the south play area of Ashton Park has been damaged.

“The Parks team have made the equipment safe, so the play area can still be used. Thanks for your patience.”

It is understood no one was hurt in the crash and no arrests have been made at this stage.

A police spokesman said: "We were called around 7.10pm on Monday (April 15) to reports of a fail to stop collision in Maple Crescent, Preston.

"A black Ford Fiesta car made off from the scene and was later seen in the Tulketh Road area.

"The vehicle was followed by police with the car travelling towards Ashton Park.

"The car was later found having been involved in a collision with the park play area.

"An investigation is on-going and enquiries underway."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.