PART of Darlington town centre was closed off this morning after a car caught fire and exploded.

The car caught fire in Tubwell Row close to the town's Cornmill Shopping Centre at 11.20 am.

As smoke poured from the bonnet the owner abandoned the stricken Rover 200.

Seconds later the vehicle exploded sending flames high into the air.

Fire fighter extinguished the blaze as police re-directed traffic.

No one was injured.