Upton estate agent back to full strength after car crashed into desk

The co-director of Roberts and Egan narrowly avoided serious injury when a driver reversed into the windows next to her desk.

Despite the odds, the business reopened the next working day and is now awaiting the last lick of paint before it is completely back to normal.

The incident happened after a driver pulled out of a junction, blocked Old Street and then reversed into the shop front.

Lucy Roberts, 43, co-director of Roberts and Egan estate agents, said: "I usually sit by the window which the car came through.

"I had popped home at lunchtime. It could have been very damaging, we are very lucky. I was scared when I saw it.

"Local shopkeepers came together and rang us to make sure we were okay and the glaziers were here within minutes to make it safe."

There were nine-feet shards of glass in the aftermath of the incident and the outside of the shop has still not been repainted.

Eric Seward, of Seward Joinery, replaced the store's glass, bricks and also made a new shop front frame.

The business reopened on the next working day, despite the broken windows and bricks.

Dave Walker, chief officer of Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue, said: "Glass was hanging there like stalagmites and the road had to be closed for safety.

"Lucy, who sits at the desk, could have been quite seriously injured, but she was out.

"Three big plate glass windows were broken and the driver also destroyed the brick wall below the window frame, behind the panels.

"The joiners are putting it all back together today."

Locals say buses were parked in the layby opposite the Talbot Head Hotel, when the driver pulled out of Court Street.

Mr Seward added that the buses usually wait at the stop for five to 10 minutes, forming a very narrow road.

The incident happened on Friday, July 22 at 12.30pm, with fire and police services attending the scene.

A police spokesman said no one was arrested or injured as a result of the incident.