A 25-YEAR-OLD man was arrested after a car crashed into a building, narrowly missing an elderly woman who was walking by.

The incident happened yesterday at 11.40am, at Benson Street Flats, in Little Harwood, Blackburn.

Insp Steve Haworth, of Blackburn police, said: "A green Vauxhall Vectra came off the main road and smashed a stone garden wall and wooden fence to smithereens. It then lodged in the front wall of the house.

"The old lady was OK and so was the driver. A man was questioned and taken to Greenbank police station, in connection with possible vehicle theft."

The fire brigade were called as a precautionary measure, in case the car burst into flames.

Today the owner of the former Methodist chapel, Michael Holden, said all the residents were at work at the time. He added: "The old lady was passing by and the car just missed her. She was quite shocked and neighbours looked after her."