POLICE HUNT CAR SMASH SOCCER STAR

WEST HAM footballer Gary Charles is being hunted by police today after his 70,000 Mercedes was found abandoned following a crash.

Police discovered half a bottle of whisky on the front seat of an X-registered CL500 Coupe leased to the 30-year-old 1 million defender - which was abandoned in Hornchurch.

The driver fled after being chased by another motorist following an accident in which the Mercedes was involved in a collision with a Ford Sierra.

After the smash in Hornchurch high street, the Mercedes driver sped away.

The Sierra driver gave chase and caught up with the Mercedes in a nearby housing estate.

Witness Gary Tatchell, 33, said the two cars screeched to a halt outside his flat and then "a guy jumped out of the Mercedes and did a runner". Mr Tatchell added that the Sierra driver told him that after the Mercedes "knocked" his car in the high street, he had asked for the driver's insurance details.

But he claimed the Mercedes driver told him "just have the car, just have the car".

Mr Tatchell said: "The Sierra driver replied 'I don't want the car, mate.

I just want the insurance details'. He said the Mercedes driver, who smelled of alcohol, just jumped back into the car and shot off."

The crash occurred on Monday night, when Charles was not included in the West Ham team which drew 1-1 at Charlton in the Premiership. Yesterday morning, he failed to arrive at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground.

Manager Harry Redknapp said: "I have no idea why he hasn't rung

in, but we are anxious to find out what's happening.

It would obviously be of great concern to me if any West Ham player was in trouble, but I have yet to hear anything from the police."

Police have confirmed that the Mercedes had been in a collision with a red Sierra in Hornchurch and that the vehicle had not been reported stolen.

Charles, who earns 10,000 a week at West Ham after a 1million transfer from Portugal's Benfica in August 1999, has two England caps.

He was on the receiving end of the infamous Paul Gascoigne tackle while playing for Nottingham Forest in the 1991 FA Cup Final against Spurs, a tackle which almost ended Gascoigne's professional career. Wingback Charles, who has also played for Leicester, Derby and Aston Villa, has been dogged by injury problems. The latest came during a recent loan spell to Birmingham City and he returned to West Ham to recover.

The player, who has a home in Derby and stays in London during the week, has been in trouble on the roads before.

In May 1991, motorcyclist Stuart Fayle, 17, was killed in a collision with a car driven by Charles. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

In April 1993, Charles was arrested after another accident. Nottingham magistrates subsequently fined him 1,600 for refusing a breath test.

Police, who have impounded the Mercedes, said: "We know the name of the registered keeper.

We have left messages for him, but so far he has failed to respond."

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