A popular pub has been left badly damaged after a car smashed through the wall.

Patrons at The Fox in Hartnup Street were left shocked after a blue BMW ploughed into the building at around 10.30pm on Friday.

One woman, who was sitting on a bench on the other side of the wall, was taken to hospital to be treated for whiplash but no others were harmed.

Barmaid Marianne Roberts was working behind the bar the moment the car came careering through.

"I just heard this almighty bang and it literally shook the building," she said.

"It almost felt like an earthquake. Just before the bang I saw some lights come quickly round the corner.

"I ran to the door and I could just see that he was in the car at the time and he was dazed. I don't know how the guy survived.

The driver, left dazed in the vehicle, was held by pub-goers for the police to arrive.

"There were a couple of ladies sitting in the corner that got hit. It could have been a lot worse," continued the 39-year-old.

"I went back inside the pub and all I could see was a haze of dust and there was an oily smell.

"I opened some windows, I didn't know if the car was going to go bang."

Landlord Michael Hawney says although the pub has managed to stay open, the car had to remain in place over the weekend.

"When we had the structural engineer out he said that we would not be able to get the car removed because it was holding up the building."

Repairs are predicted to cost over £100,000.

The car was finally taken away earlier today after temporary structural supports were installed.