A MYSTERY driver was being hunted today after the car he was driving smashed into three shops.

The Blue G-registered Ford Sierra rammed into the row of properties at Hollins Grove, Darwen, just after midnight demolishing one shop front and badly damaging two others.

Police say witnesses saw a youth running away.

Warren and Shaw Bakers and Confectioners shop was the worst hit. Hearth and Grate Fireplace Centre and an empty off licence were also damaged.

Paramedics in a passing ambulance rushed to deal with expected casualties but were amazed to find the car empty.

A spokesman for Darwen ambulance said: "From the state of the car we thought we would find carnage inside. Whoever was in it when it crashed must have some fairly serious injuries."

Barbara Thompson, of nearby ABC Business Services, said: "I was in bed when I heard a deafening bang.

"By the time I had got to the window, there was no driver to be seen and glass was all over the place. The emergency services arrived within minutes."

Graham and Wendy Greenwood, who live above the damaged empty off licence, were also woken by the crash.

Wendy said: "We have been up half the night sorting out the mess."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.