A 36-year-old man is in police custody at Melksham after crashing into the Kennet & Avon Canal bridge in Bradford on Avon.

The bridge at the Bradford on Avon Canal Wharf was badly damaged after the accident just after 10.35pm on Wednesday evening.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said:” We received a call at 10.39pm reporting that a car had crashed into a corner building just after the canal bridge in Bradford-on-Avon. Significant damage was caused to the bridge.

“A 36-year-old man failed a roadside breath test and has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He remains in Melksham custody at this time.”

Police cordoned off the bridge so that large chunks of masonry on the pavement could be removed.

It is not yet known whether any of the stones from the bridge fell into the nearby Kennet & Avon Canal lock.

Police said a red Citroen Berlingo van collided with the bridge after the vehicle failed to negotiate the bend in the Frome Road.

The vehicle rebounded off the stonework and came to rest against Skew Cottage opposite. It is understood the two occupants of the van were unhurt.

The driver was still trying to move his vehicle when police arrived and he was arrested for a drink-driving offence.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she was about to go outside when she heard the loud bang of the vehicle crashing into the bridge.

"I went to my neighbour's house next door. The red Berlingo was on the pavement.

"The two guys in the car were trying to move it off the pavement.  The driver was trying to get into the van to restart it.

"I could see the damage to the bridge. There was scrapings and oil all over the road and the pavement and the car wheels were buckled.

"I was just about to go and call the police when two police vehicles arrived and blocked the car in so that it could not move.

"They arrested the driver and he was put into one of the police cars."