The owner of an art gallery wrecked when a car smashed into the building says it was lucky she was not in the shop with her baby.

Mum Paula Chappell was on holiday in Spain on Tuesday when the BMW ploughed through the front of her business in Oxford Street.

Witnesses say the driver is believed to have suffered a seizure and blacked out.

But the result of the smash demolished the shop front of Chappell Contemporary and has potentially destroyed up to £20,000 worth of art.

Mrs Chappell was due to return to Whitstable yesterday (Wednesday) but told the Gazette: "I'm devastated because I have put my life and soul into the business and this will have a huge impact on me and the family.

"I'm just glad no one was hurt and the art work can be replaced. But I would normally have been there, often with my baby."

The incident happened at 9.45am when a new £40,000 black 435i BMW smashed into the shop front which was closed at the time.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the male driver treated by paramedics.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "We can confirm that we were called at approximately 9.45am yesterday to reports of a car hitting a building in Oxford Street, Whitstable.

"One ambulance crew attended the scene and a man was assessed and treated before being taken to QEQM Hospital."

The town was busier than usual because it is half term and the road was closed for almost three hours causing long queues of traffic in surrounding roads.

Mrs Chappell, who studied sculpture at Wimbledon School of Art, opened the gallery four years ago and specialises in limited edition prints.

She said she was heartened other businesses had rallied to help out.

"My assistant Helen and friend James from Flory and Black have been clearing up and others helping too, which shows what an amazing community we have. I couldn't be more thankful and their support has made it more bearable.

"We will continue clearing up when I'm back and get a more detailed assessment of the damage.

"But the show must go on, as they say, and I have a really important exhibition launching on Saturday with artist Bruce Mclean."

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable