OFFICERS have named a man charged following a police chase on the M56 in which a number of drug packages were thrown from a van.

Neil Corrigan was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, after a pursuit which started on the motorway near Warrington and ended at Manchester Airport where the van crashed through a barrier at a multi-storey car park.

A large quantity of illegal drugs were seized following the chase.

Following his arrest, the 41-year-old, of Main Street, Cayton, Scarborough, has since been charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin), dangerous driving, failing to stop after a collision and driving without insurance.

He has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear before Warrington Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday.

At around 5.30pm on Tuesday, officers attempted to stop a white Mercedes Sprinter van on the M56 at Stretton, but the vehicle failed to stop and made off at speed.

Officers pursued the vehicle as it travelled along the motorway into Manchester, and then onto the A555 towards Manchester Airport.

As the vehicle was travelling, a number of packages were thrown from the van.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to assist, along with the police helicopter.

The van subsequently came to a stop after careering through a barrier onto a multi-storey car park at Manchester Airport.

The driver attempted to make off on foot, but he was quickly arrested near to the Radisson Blue Hotel.

A large quantity of what is believed to be heroin was also recovered from the M56.

Following the incident, CI John Forshaw, of the Roads and Crime unit, said: “This is another fantastic result which has led to the removal of a large quantity of illegal drugs from the streets of Cheshire, and I would like to thank our colleagues at GMP for the support they provided.

“While this investigation is in the early stages, I hope that these arrests provide reassurance for residents in the area and the wider community.

“We are committed to doing all we can to crackdown on those who bring misery to our communities, helping to ensure Cheshire remains a hostile environment for those intent on committing crime.

“If you have any concerns about drugs activity in your community, do not hesitate to get in touch with us online at cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or by calling 101.”