POLICE are investigating a crash that happened in the early hours of the morning.

A car smashed into the facade of Gino's Taverna, which is adjacent to the Railway Tavern on Kings Street, Stanford-le-Hope.

The incident is reported to have happened around 4am. People stating at the pub were evacuated as the damage was assessed.

It appears no-one was injured and Gino's Restaurant has taken a philosophical view on the incident with a quip about being a 'drive-through' on its Facebook page.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called shortly before 3.40am today (Thursday, 5 October) to reports a vehicle had impacted a building in King Street, Stanford-le-Hope.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taking a vehicle without consent.

"He was taken to hospital but is now in custody,

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote incident 116 of 5 October.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.