A customer says it is a “miracle” nobody was injured after a hoarding collapsed at a former department store in a bustling shopping centre.

Pictures show the aftermath as the temporary board gave way in Bluewater, Greenhithe, at the former House of Fraser shop.

“You can imagine how busy it was yesterday at about 3.15pm,” a shopper told KentOnline.

“How it has not injured anyone is a miracle.”

Saturday afternoons are a busy time for the shopping centre, which attracts millions of visitors a year.

House of Fraser – once one of Bluewater’s major anchor stores – closed in December.

The sprawling unit spanned across both floors of the mall but closed after 25 years at the shopping centre, leaving a large gap.

But fashion retailer Next, which already has a large branch there, across two storeys, is set to move in.

The hoarding, part of which collapsed yesterday, at the empty unit advertises that it is set to launch next year, but a specific opening has not yet been announced.

Plans were submitted last year to Dartford council to alter the shopfront, facades and roof of the building, stating the proposed alterations “have been driven by a new tenant, Next”.

Bluewater bosses say the hoarding on the closed unit fell yesterday “as a result of the high winds”.

Storm Amy battered the county on Friday night and throughout Saturday, with a Met Office yellow weather warning for strong and gusty winds in place throughout the day until 7pm yesterday.

Speaking about the hoarding collapse, a Bluewater spokesman said: “Thankfully, no guests or staff were in the immediate area at the time.

“The Bluewater team worked quickly to close the area to ensure guest safety.

“Work will soon be underway to replace the hoarding on the unit.

“We thank all guests for their ongoing patience and understanding.”

Pictures taken today show the area has been cordoned off and workers have removed the collapsed hoarding.