THE owner of a popular music shop which was badly damaged when a car smashed into it has thanked the people who got it up and running just hours after the incident.

Vaughan Phelps, of R & T Music, in Dalkeith Street, Barrow, said it was only because of the hard work of his staff and local tradesmen that he was able to welcome the public into his store once again.

He had been called in the early hours of this morning after a white BMW ended up on its roof after crashing into the shop.

Mr Phelps said: "I really want to say thank you to everyone who helped get the shop back to a state where we could open. That happened much more quickly than I thought it would do.

"It looks the same inside again and it was good to get back to that point. It was down to the staff really and a couple of local tradesmen."

Police were called to Dalkeith Street in the early hours of yesterday (Mon) morning.

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Gareth Benson, who owns taxi firm Barrow Cars, which is next to Mr Phelps' shop, witnessed the immediate aftermath of the crash.

He said: "I was sat inside when I heard the noise and I thought it was a bomb going off. Two lads managed to pull the driver out of the passenger side of the car and he was very lucky given the state of the vehicle.

"If it had been Friday or Saturday night he would have took out a fair few people because they lean on the windows on this street having a cigarette, so it was very lucky that this happened on Sunday."

The large windows were shattered and broken glass covered many of the instruments on display.

They have now been boarded up ahead of repair.

* A 23-year-old Barrow man was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol and was yesterday being questioned by police.

Any witnesses are asked to contact Barrow CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.