Inverell police have arrested and charged a 54-year-old Newcastle man after he took them on an 18-kilometre pursuit between Delungra and Inverell.

Yesterday afternoon, Inverell police were conducting stationary radar duties on the Gwydir Highway near Delungra.

A vehicle passed the checkpoint allegedly doing 80 kilometres an hour in a 60 zone.

Police activated their lights and sirens but the vehicle failed to stop.

It is alleged the driver sped off and police began a pursuit, with the vehicle heading towards Inverell on the Gwydir Highway.

The driver allegedly reached speeds of up to 135 kilometres an hour, before he stopped the car.

Officers charged the man with exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 kilometres an hour and with refusing to obey a police direction.