Beach users breathed a huge sigh of relief after a runaway car rolled a hundred yards down a hill before resting near some groynes on Whitstable seafront.

Miraculousy no-one was hurt after the silver Volkswagen Passat hurtled down the grassy bank close to the Hotel Continental about 12.30pm.

Witnesses say the female driver shouted at bystanders to get out of the way after the car began to roll when the vehicle's handbrake failed.

Police were called to the scene and the car has since been recovered.

One woman said: "We didn't see it but we heard it as it came down the hill. It is incredibly lucky no-one got injured.

"It's like a scene out of The Italian Job" - witness

"It's like a scene out of The Italian Job."

While a man added: "It's just fortunate there were no mums with their pushchairs."

The driver was seen speaking to officers while recovery workmen took away the car.