A row of coffee shops and restaurants in County Durham had a narrow escape after a van drove through outdoor furniture at one venue, before cannoning into a bin. 

People who were walking down Elvet Bridge in Durham City on Wednesday (January 31) may have seen the incident, which saw the truck collide with metal chairs and tables outside the businesses on the stretch of the bridge. 

The incident, which occurred outside Zapatista Burrito Bar, on the corner of New Elvet, saw the vehicle, which had come from the top end of Elvet Bridge, drive into the furniture outside Tealicious,  Zapatista, and Paddy's Pizza. 

Images of the scene:

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After the incident, shocked bystanders were spotted looking at the trail of destruction that the van had created, which saw the truck sustain slight damage to its front side. 

In images in the aftermath of the incident, the truck can be seen with numerous metal chairs under it, while numerous people can be seen outside the stretch of businesses on Elvet Bridge. 

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Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle can be seen speaking to several people at the scene.

During the incident, it's believed that no one was injured in the crash - but the bin, furniture and signage were damaged by the impact of the vehicle hitting the items.

It's understood that the police didn't attend the incident - but The Northern Echo has contacted Durham Police, Durham County Council's Highways Department, and other emergency services about the van being driven through the outside furniture.