A TAKEAWAY owner has described how customers narrowly escaped injury when a car ploughed into his shop, killing the driver.

Two customers and a child were in Gill's Golden Takeaway, at Front Street, Station Town, near Wingate, County Durham, when a Rover 214Si being driven by Craig Robson hit the building.

Debris flew everywhere, but customers and staff escaped uninjured.

Mr Robson, 21, of Station Town, was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, where he was certified dead.

The incident happened at at about 8pm on Sunday. Mr Robson's car also collided with a Suzuki Vitara and a Ford Escort, both unoccupied, parked outside the takeaway.

Police said it was unclear what caused the accident.

"He crossed the road, mounted the footpath and collided with the Vitara, then the gable end and front of the takeaway, before hitting the Escort," said a spokesman.

Harjit Singh, owner of Gill's, said: "It happened so quickly. We were lucky that no one in the shop got hurt."

The takeaway is expected to be closed for several weeks as repairs are carried out.

Mr Singh said: "The shop is a real mess."

He said Mr Robson's death was a shock to the community, adding: "He was a local lad - a nice lad - and we know all the family. People are shocked to hear what happened."

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact PC Dale Cowey or PC Ian Haigh, on 0191-386 4929.