Shoppers had a lucky escape when a car was rammed across a pavement on a busy shopping day and through the front window of a wine bar.

A motorist was waiting for a parking space at Crouch Street, Colchester, on Saturday when her automatic Rover leapt forward and collided with a stationary Peugeot in a parking bay.

The force of the impact jolted the Peugeot, which had its handbrake and steering lock on, across the pavement and into the front of Roberto's cafe.

The Peugeot's front end smashed through the plate glass window and brickwork, sending shards of glass into the bar.

Although there were customers in the cafe at the time, no-one was injured.

Roberto's co-owner Patrick Smart said it was a miracle the consequences were not more serious.

He said: "The car shot across the pavement and came straight through the bar window.

"It was quite a smash. It made a big hole, damaged the brickwork and caused some structural damage which will cost thousands to repair."

Mr Smart added: "It was 11.30am so it was extremely lucky there was no family or anyone walking past. It is quite busy at that time.

"There were a few customers sitting in the front of the bar but no-one near the window."

A Colchester police spokesman said the driver of the Rover car was not injured.

(Left and right) Scene - the stricken Peugeot after it was rammed accidentally by a waiting motorist.

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