by Rebecca Hughes

A car has crashed into the front of a new garden superstore, injuring four people.

Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of a car crashing into Dobbies Garden World (see picture, by Liz Lyne, left), in Courteney Road, Gillingham, around 2.50pm.

Witnesses reported seeing a blue car go through the front of the £8 million store which opened in March.

Four people suffered minor injuries and were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment.

Witness Liz Lyne from Wainscott said: “There was this almighty crash which sounded like gun shots and my husband turned around and saw a unit toppling in slow motion.

“A woman was screaming and someone said she was trapped under the fallen wall and that children were playing nearby outside. It was horrific and the store just looked a mess.”

But Gavin Tyrrell, Dobbies Garden World, Gillingham duty manager, said damage to the store was minimal.

He said: “A car accidentally drove into the front of our Gillingham store today at 3pm. It is understood that no one has been seriously injured and the emergency services were on the scene almost immediately.

“There is minimal damage to the front of our store, which we are rectifying.

"Dobbies Garden World Gillingham will remain open and we can confirm that the store will be trading as normal this weekend.”