A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and dangerous driving after a car ploughed into a block of flats.

People living inside had to be evacuated due to the serious structural damage in Fullingpits Avenue, Barming, near Maidstone, at around 8pm last night.

The white car was then seen reversing and making its way up the road where it parked on someone’s drive.

Witnesses claim the car was travelling at almost double the road's usual speed limit.

Police and fire crews were called to the scene and a cordon was put in place preventing anyone from driving through.

A police spokesman added: “Kent Police was called at 7.53pm, to a report that a car had struck a building before travelling from the scene.

“Officers attended and later arrested a man on suspicion of drink driving and dangerous driving. He remains in custody while inquiries into the incident are underway.”

A spokesman for the fire service said two fire engines attended and a safety cordon was put in place.

They added: “Crews evacuated people from the building, and retrieved medication and essential items from inside the property for impacted residents.

“Kent Police and the local authority building inspector also attended. There were no reported injuries.”