The 35-year-old man narrowly escaped permanent injury when his blue Vauxhall Astra car mounted the pavement and crashed into Saloon 101 in Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath on Tuesday.

Startled staff escaped being cut by the shards of flying glass and the borough surveyor was called in to make sure the premises were safe. The motorist was treated for shock at the scene.

Witnesses said the accident happened just after 5pm and involved two cars.