New landlords at a Shropshire pub have been left devastated after a car ploughed through their wall, causing thousands of pounds damage.

James Prangell and Doug Beswick, who only took over the Falcon Inn in Hinstock five days ago, have been forced to close their restaurant after the vehicle left a hole in the side of their pub.

The silver Peugeot 306 was travelling into Hinstock from Market Drayton when it left the road and collided with the side of the pub at about 7.40pm yesterday.

Paramedics treated the driver, a man in his late teens, for shock and head injuries, although he was not taken to hospital.

Mr Prangell said, although the bar can continue to serve drinks, the restaurant and the bed and breakfast side of the business have been forced to close because the pub is crumbling in those areas.

“The damage is pretty bad – the car pretty much drove straight into the passageway which goes to our kitchen.

“My business partner nearly got killed, as he was inches away from what happened, and he is really shaken up, but luckily everyone is okay. We have just got a big hole in the side of the pub.

“We only just launched the business and it has been doing really well for the first couple of days and the restaurant has been packed, but we can’t do food now, and we are devastated,” he said.

Mr Prangell said the cost of the damage would run to thousands of pounds.

Police have now appealed for anyone with information to come forward. They are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a blue Vauxhall Astra which was seen travelling in the opposite direction. Constable Lyn Downes can be contacted on (08457) 444888.