A CAR careered off the road and smashed into a Southend shop last night.

The male driver is believed to have turned onto Southchurch Road as another motorist was performing a U-turn at 9.10pm last night and lost control of the car after the vehicles collided.

No one was hurt but the shop front at Paul's Discount Clothing Store and railings at the side of the road were badly damaged.

Michael Binder, son of founder Paul Binder, said it was amazing no-one was hurt in the accident.

He said: "I think someone was looking down last night because the CCTV showed there was a bloke walking past about two minutes before, and both of the drivers got away alright.

"If I had been in late dressing the window or the car went into Papa John's with customers in the window, it could have been a lot worse.

"As a family business, we're just pleased no-one was hurt."