A police officer had to leap from the path of a car allegedly driven by a drink driver.

Patrols in Ashford were called to a town centre car park in Park Street after reports a man had been drinking and was planning to drive home.

When officers arrived at the scene at around 10pm on February 25 they attempted to stop the suspect leaving and one of them stood in front of the vehicle to prevent it driving away.

It is alleged the motorist drove towards the police officer, forcing them to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

The car was then driven away despite the motorist being signalled to stop.

CCTV operators were able to track the vehicle and direct police to a spot where it had hit a road sign and come to a halt.

The driver is said to have ran from the car on foot but was detained by police in Upper Queens Road.

A 25-year-old man from the Ashford area was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm, drink driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.