by Nicola Jordan

A car left a trail of destruction after it smashed into a lamppost, bus shelter, bollard and tree.

It finally came to rest outside a house in Strood in the early hours of this morning (Sunday.)

The occupants then set fire to the a four-door Fiat before running off.

It happened on the A2 Watling Street at about 2.25am.

Strood Fire and Rescue crew manager Ian Collins said the car travelled about 300 metres before stopping.

Police have been informed.

Debris from the runaway car was scattered on both sides of the road.

Alf Gates, 51, of Watling Street, said: "I did not hear anything at that time, but frankly it’s not unusual to hear screeching brakes along here."

Mr Gates, who runs a catering company, added; "We need speed cameras. A lot of people walk their dogs on this stretch. Looking at the damage, if it had been during the day somebody could have got hurt."