Two men have been arrested after a tank was driven down country lanes and into woodland with the police in pursuit.

The incident began when a patrol car found the small-tracked tank being driven erratically in Hampshire.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said the officers followed the tank for several miles after spotting it in Bunny Lane, Romsey.

The tank was eventually driven off the road, through two five-bar gates and then abandoned in woodland.

A search by the Dorset Police helicopter and Hampshire Police dogs failed to find two men who fled from the tank, which is an ex-military vehicle.

The tank now belongs to the firm Jupiter Leisure and was taken from an "A Plant Hire" outlet in Timsbury, Hampshire.

Two men, aged 18 and 20, from Southampton, were arrested on Wednesday evening.

They were bailed by police until early December, while forensic investigations are carried out.