A NEWSAGENT and paperboy narrowly escaped injury when a car crashed into a shop window.

Barbara Hope, who owns the K and DB Hope newsagency in Louisa Street, Darlington, and the 16-year-old paperboy, who did not want to named, had to dive for safety.

A Ford Fiesta hit the shop at 7.40am after colliding with a Transit van at the junction of Louisa Street and Brunton Street.

After the accident, residents appealed for clearer road markings, or give-way signs to be installed. They said many drivers were unaware they were at a junction.

The incident was the third in seven months.

Mrs Hope said she was devastated at the damage, described by structural engineers as "significant", but said it would be business as usual.

"I heard a huge bang, and then the car crashed through the window," she said. "Our paperboy was standing near the door, and had to dive across the floor to get out of the way.

"My two-year-old granddaughter was in the bedroom directly above the accident. It could have been so much worse."

Customer Andy Gray, of Brunton Street, said the junction was dangerous.

"The markings on the road are not obvious enough, and it needs signs," he said.

Darlington Borough Council said it had not received any complaints about the road, but intended to consult police about its safety.

Two people in the Fiesta were treated in hospital for minor injuries. Traffic police are investigating the incident. No one else was injured.