A SIX-WEEK old baby was among a number of people who had to be treated when a car mounted the pavement and ended up on its roof in a busy Darlington street.

Metal railings were left bent and broken and nearby shops were showered with debris as a result of the incident in Northgate, close to the town centre roundabout, at around 10pm last night.

One man ran from the scene and another was detained suffering from unknown injuries.

It is believed the baby was travelling in a car behind the vehicle involved in the accident. It was taken to hospital purely as a precaution, police said.

Officers closed off the junction and a crowd of onlookers gathered to survey the devastation left by the black Vauxhall Astra.

One of the cars wheels was torn off in the impact and was left several yards from the rest of the car.

It is understood there were just the two occupants in the car although it is not known who was the driver and who was the passenger.

The accident scene was close to Gladstone Street, home to Escapades nightclub, and there is a pub and a number of fast food outlets close by.

The car was not being pursued by police at the time, but several patrol cars and members of the road policing unit were on the scene within a matter of minutes. Investigators are looking into whether or not the vehicle was stolen.

The owners of Hons hair salon were left counting the cost as parts of the car smashed windows and damaged the facade.

Regulars at The Half Moon pub, located close to where the car came to rest, heard the accident happen.

Bar man Mick Cassidy said: "We heard a noise and knew straightaway there had been an accident.

"Then we saw one of the wheels come off."

The incident was still being dealt with and no further details were available at press time.