CUSTOMERS and staff were shocked when a truck careered into a pub.

The Toyota 4x4 pick-up left a hole in the side of the Waggon and Horses, in Great North Road, Eaton Socon, near St Neots, after it came through the wall on Sunday night.

No-one was injured but a substantial amount of damage was caused to the pub, leading to the temporary closure of the road and the premises due to "structural problems".

Shiralee Puleston, a member of the bar staff, was working at the time of the incident. She said: "We heard a screech outside, the next thing we knew there was rubble and chairs flying.

"When we went outside the truck was in the side of the pub."

She said: "Luckily there were only two people in the pub as we close early on Sundays. One was a paramedic so he was out of the door checking everyone was all right. Everyone was a bit shaken up."

Jeff Collins, one of the licensees of the pub, was upstairs when the incident happened, and said: "I heard a loud series of bangs. When I came downstairs I saw the wall pushed in. It was quite a shock."

Mr Collins said the two men who were in the pub at the time were sitting only inches from where it came through. They normally sat at the table right where the vehicle came in but had chosen to sit elsewhere on this occasion.

He said: "They were very lucky people."

Mr Collins said a council officer came over to assess the situation and subsequently the pub and road were temporarily closed. He added: "Being an old building you don't know if it will fall down or not."

It is hoped the pub will reopen later in the week.

A 33-year-old man, from County Down, has been arrested and charged with driving a motor vehicle with alcohol above the legal limit. He is bailed to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court on August 28.