A CAR careered through a wall outside a church, narrowly avoiding crashing into the building, before the driver fled the scene.

Essex Police were called to the United Methodist Church, on Great Wakering High Street, on Wednesday shortly after 8pm to reports of a car reversing into the wall at speed.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the car - believed to be a blue Nissan Juke - fled the scene of the crash, sprinting across the road and into a nearby home.

It is believed that a second person, a passenger in the car, then jumped behind the wheel and drove the car towards Southend, narrowly avoiding another crash as it drove along the pavement.

His current whereabouts are unknown as detectives continue to investigate the incident.

Church steward Terry Galley, 75, revealed the wall was totally demolished but the church building avoided any damage.

He said: “I got a phone call in the evening from some neighbours, who saw a car reverse into the church, just demolishing the outer wall area leaving just rubble.

“It is a lot of damage; I don’t know the exact figures for repair yet until the police confirm that they are done with the crime scene.

“I feel upset that this has happened to the church, the upside is that nobody got hurt.

“We were meant to have someone come in for a lecture around that time, I’m so glad she cancelled. Better a brick destroyed than a person.”

Essex Police have confirmed an investigation is underway.

A spokesman said: “We were called just after 8.05pm to reports of a collision in Southend.

“It was reported that a car was in collision with a wall in High Street, Great Wakering, before the car drove away.

“Our enquiries continue.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or submit a report to Essex Police’s website.

You can also give details to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.