NEWLY qualified driver Laura Fields was amazed when she saw her stolen car being driven past her by thieves.

The 17-year-old of Northwood, Chippenham, who had passed her driving test a fortnight ago, was driving through town with her mother on Saturday, when they spotted her Vauxhall Nova, which had been stolen four days before from outside the house where a family party was being held.

The car was being driven in Bath Road. Miss Fields' mother Jackie Lawrence, who works in the inquiry office at Chippenham Police Station, and who was driving at the time, turned and followed the car.

As her mother chased the thieves, Miss Fields called the police on her mobile phone.

At one stage Mrs Lawrence thought the car had given her the slip when she had to go round Chippenham's one-way system, but as she drove one way, the police arrived from the opposite direction, and the offender was soon stopped after being spotted again in Charter Road.

"We stayed in a layby and the police parked up near where we were. We were right behind because we wanted to see what happened and the man was arrested in front of us," Mrs Lawrence said.

Her daughter said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw my car being driven. It made me so angry."

The car has had the ignition damaged. "It is a bit of a nightmare that I can't drive my new car and now I'm going to have to save up for a new one," Miss Field said.

"But I'm really glad I actually saw the man arrested."

An 18-year-old man was charged with theft and released on bail.