Shock as car smashes into 500-year-old inn

The crash in the early hours of Wednesday caused damage inside the Shepherds Inn in Langwathby

The owner of a 500-year-old village pub which was badly damaged when a car crashed into it has spoken of his shock and finding debris strewn across the restaurant area.

The Shepherds Inn in Langwathby, near Penrith, has been closed since the crash at about 04:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Stephen Wilcock, who runs the pub, said it had been a shock to see "so much rubble".

Cumbria Police said the 17-year-old driver of the car had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, but had been released pending investigation.

The female driver of the Ford and a passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

The Ford car stuck the outside of the pub, leaving plaster and brickwork crumbling

"It's a good job there was no one in the restaurant and that it wasn't open, the amount of damage that's been done," Mr Wilcock said.

"It's a shock to see so much rubble. You'd think a lorry has come through the wall, rather than a car.

"In the winter you do all your renovations, your painting and you get ready for busy times and then part of is destroyed."

The pub is believed to be about half a century old and employs seven people full-time.

The closure meant a number of charity events had to be cancelled, although there are plans to reopen on Monday.

Mr Wilcock said there had been lots of support from the community since the crash.

"We're very grateful for that."