Hapless joy riders came to a sudden halt when their motor got stuck in the mud,

Late last night police officers were called to the field behind Sainsbury's in Ongar by residents disturbed by a car driving in the field.

PC Paul Harrison of Essex Police arrived to find the motor driving "erratically" on the grass.

He said: "They tried to make off but car got stuck in the mud.

"Then they begged me for help."

The driver was issued with a Section59 warning, which can be served against those behind the wheel causing "alarm, distress or annoyance".

Along with the cost of recovering the bogged down car the evening of fun set the driver back £300.