A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after he crashed into a Co op shop last night in a North East village.

There have been reports of a car having driven into the Co op in Wynyard last night (Friday, November 4) at approximately 9:30pm.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after and fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

The flat above the shop had to be evacuated to ensure the saftey of the occupants.

A spokesperson from Cleveland Police said: "A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, after the black Land Rover Defender he was driving collided with the shop front of the Village Stores in Wynyard at around 9.30pm last night.

"Nobody was hurt in the incident, but substantial damage was caused to the shop and occupants of the flats above had to be evacuated.

"The man is currently in police custody." 

The incident has caused quite a stir after being reported in the Facebook group Incidents on Teesside & County Durham.

The post has so far racked up over 300 comments and over 70 shares with many people commenting with concern over staff welfare in the shop.

Michelle Morley commented: “Hope none of the staff are injured.”

Lisa Husband said: “Hope everyone is okay.”

Denise Gash said: “Hope everyone is ok.”

Others found the whole situation rather comic and the expected jokes about a new drive-thru came pouring in.

The Northern Echo has approached Wynyard Village Stores for comment.

More as we have it.

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