A FLEEING driver threw what are thought to be packages of drugs out of his car window during a high-speed police chase through Eastleigh.

Police spotted a speeding silver Vauxhall Vectra at 8.30pm yesterday on the M3 and reported that it was travelling at "well over the speed limit" and being driven in an erratic manner.

With blue lights flashing police followed the car off the motorway at junction 12 towards Eastleigh.

The man was then said to have been travelling at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone in an attempt to evade capture.

The car headed along the B3354 towards Winchester, where the pursuing police car saw the driver throw plastic bags out of the window.

Det Insp Bob Maker of Winchester CID said the packages were later recovered and found to contain "resin and powder". He added: "We believe they are drugs."

Police were just about to call off the chase because it was becoming too dangerous to continue, when the driver lost control of his vehicle near Fisher's Pond.

A 44-year-old man from Win-chester was arrested.