A car ploughed into a Shropshire shop causing thousands of pounds of damage and rupturing a gas main.

A BMW smashed into the Market Discounts shop in Wem High Street just before 11pm on Friday night. The incident, which also involved another vehicle, caused a gas leak which led to the evacuation of the flat above the premises. No-one is believed to have been injured.

Police said today a man in his 20s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving.

Jane Horton, owner of Market Discounts, said: “The car came across the road and went straight through the shop window. It took the door out and the shop front. Because the gas and electric meters are below the window it damaged them.

“It’s caused structural damage and we have had to put in posts to prop it up. Saturday would have been a really busy day of trading because it was the last day before the kids go back to school.

“It’s caused thousands of pound of damage but nobody was injured which was the main thing.” She added the shop could remain shut for several days.

Wem firefighter Phil Smith said: “Our main concern was that it appeared to have affected a gas pipe. We evacuated where appropriate and cordoned the area off. We requested the gas board.”

Pauline Dee, town and Shropshire councillor, described the incident as a “shame” because the owner of the shop had last week been saying how well the business was doing.

Inspector Mark Hatton, of West Mercia Police, said: “I think there was a gas leak in the shop as a result of the collision.

“People in the flat above the shop had to leave while the gas supply was made safe.”

He added the gas supply had been dealt with by about 1.30am on Saturday morning.

A spokeswoman from Transco said they received a call at 10.58pm on Friday night saying there was a road traffic collision in Wem High Street and requested Wales and West Utilities attend the scene.