A MOTORIST whose car careered into a toy shop is then alleged to have fled the scene.

The Ford Fiesta smashed into the front of Applebee's electrical store and toy shop, in Wollaton Road, Beeston, at around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Police have been trying to trace the driver, believed to a woman, who witnesses said was helped from the vehicle but left the scene.

The shop's owner, Jeff Graham, said: "I was at the back of the shop and heard this huge bang, the smashing of glass, and felt the building trembling. I came to the front and there was a bloke pulling a woman out of the car."

He added: "Luckily there was nobody in the shop or looking at the window display at the time. It's caused complete devastation to the shop front.

"The front of the car was smashed in and there was water all over the pavement from a leaking radiator. The windscreen was broken and had blood on the inside."

Mr Graham said he was at the shop until about 8.30pm on Saturday cleaning up following the accident, before he returned at 9am yesterday to continue tidying and assessing the damage.

He said: "The building is fine. I shall be trading on Monday as normal."

A man who lives in Beeston, who did not wish to be named, saw the crash and said: "I can't believe no-one was killed.

"Applebee's is next to the main pedestrian crossing, connecting High Road to Beeston Square, and the pavement was very busy with shoppers.

"Applebee's is a busy shop and there are often children in there because it sells toys."

The man added: "It is a dangerous section of road.

"There is a chicane which can deceive drivers who are not used to the road or approach it too quickly.

"A few years ago a car went straight into a shop on the opposite corner when it failed to negotiate the bend.

"In my opinion the road should have been straightened when High Road was pedestrianised."

A Notts Police spokesman confirmed they arrested a woman on suspicion of dangerous driving on Sunday.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or knows anyone involved, is asked to call Notts Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.