DRAMATIC footage has been released of last night's incident in Stanford-le-Hope – and it shows two young people only narrowly escaped serious injury or worse as a car slammed into a shop window in the town centre.

The incident happened around 8.20pm on Saturday, 22 November on King Street – when a vehicle was driven into the front of the Havens Hospice charity shop. It's driver then backed out of the wrecked shop and sped off into the night.

The car was parked shortly after on nearby Victoria Road – where it sat until late afternoon today (Sunday) when a man arrived and drove it away.

The car was parked on Victoria Road after crash

Witnesses to last night's incident say they believe the driver was drunk.

The vehicle has a valid number plate showing it is taxed and has a valid MOT.

The two young people were standing outside the Kings Kebab takeaway and ducked into it as the blue Ford CMax car mounted the pavement and slammed through the adjacent shop window. They do not appear to have been hurt but were clearly shocked.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses and video footage. The video footage in this story and pictures of the car parked on Victoria Road were supplied to the force by Nub News on Sunday.

The car crashed into the Havens Hospices shop window, which is next to Kingsd keba where two people were standing

Meanwhile Havens Hospice has issued the following statement: "The shop will remain closed, possibly for up to a week whilst investigations and essential repairs are carried out.

"Unfortunately this means we are unable to accept donations which directly support the free specialist care we provide to local families at Little Havens.

!We hope to re open as soon as it is safe. Thank you for your support. You can still find Havens Hospice at Grover Walk in Corringham, Lodge Lane in Grays and on line.