A YORK supermarket has re-opened after a window smashed by a car was boarded up overnight.

The Ford Fiesta, driven by an elderly woman, was accidentally reversed through a huge glass window at Waitrose in Foss Islands Road yesterday afternoon, slightly injuring a member of staff.

Police and fire brigade were called to the shop after the car came to a rest inside the store, with various fittings, smashed glass and debris all around it.

Firefighters assisted the driver from her vehicle, after which she received a check-up by paramedics on the scene but appeared uninjured. A female member of staff in the store received minor cuts and bruises and suffered shock.

The store was closed during the incident incident and remained shut until its normal closing time of 7pm, while a specialist contractor removed the twisted metal window frames from around the car.

A customer who was standing only feet from the window getting a coffee when the accident happened told The Press she had been shaken up by her experience.

The woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she saw the car heading towards the window and then there was a loud bang as it crashed through, rather like an explosion, before it came to a halt.

"Then an absolutely excellent young man - a customer - took control of the situation," she said. "I don't know who he was but he was reassuring the driver and keeping her calm."

A Waitrose spokeswoman said: "Thankfully nobody was seriously injured and we're very grateful to the emergency services for their prompt and expert response."

The store re-opened at 11am today.

*Did you witness the incident? Email newsdesk@thepress.co.uk or call 01904 567131 and leave your contact details.