A car driven by a suspected drink-driver slammed into the side of an Asda supermarket.

Dashcam footage taken in the car park of the store showed a car being driven at speed straight into the side of the building.

Shoppers inside the Runcorn store reported the noise as "startling."

Officers at the scene of the incident at the Asda store in Runcorn

The impact caused significant damage to the side of the superstore, with the area protected by temporary metal fencing.

Officers and fire crews were called to reports of "a collision" at the West Lane store at around 5.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 7 July).

On arrival officers found that a beige Volkswagen Bora had crashed into a wall at the side of the store.

The driver of the vehicle, a 50-year-old man from Runcorn, was released from the car by firefighters, aided by paramedics.

Damage caused to the side of the Asda store by the impact of the car

He was then taken to Aintree Hospital in an ambulance.

The man is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries.

He has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving, causing criminal damage and driving without insurance.

There were no reports of anyone else being injured as a result of the incident.

Police at the scene of the incident at the Asda store in Runcorn

Afterwards, a shopper posted on social media: "I was in store and the noise was quite startling.

"Also walked past that bit of racking a minute earlier so feel quite lucky. Didn't realise they were going that fast though!"

Firefighters assessed the external and internal damage to the structure of the supermarket before using specialist equipment to pull the car away from the building.

They then made the vehicle safe and used a gas meter to check for gas leaks both inside and outside of the store.

The scene following the collision at the Asda store in Runcorn

Detective Sergeant Leanne MacFarlane, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: "Thankfully no-one sustained serious injuries as a result of this incident.

"The consequences could have been far worse and we are committed to doing all that we can to establish exactly what took place.

"As part of our enquiries we want to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has any other information which may aid our investigation.

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"We also want to speak to anyone with any dashcam footage of the incident, or of the car driving in the area prior to the collision."

Asda were approached for comment.

Anyone with any information or footage that may be relevant to the investigation is asked to call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 748886.

Alternatively, they can give the details here or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.