A driver lost control of his Ford Focus on a wet road and plunged into the side of a house.

Fortunately, the property in Upper Street, Leeds, was vacant at the time and the driver appeared to be shaken but was uninjured.

He spoke to neighbours who came out to help for a few minutes, before suddenly running off down the B2163 in the direction of Leeds village, it was claimed.

Residents described the driver as being in his late 20s, with short black hair and a close-cropped beard.

He was wearing black trousers, black trainers and a black top.

The accident happened at around 6.45pm on Monday.

The car spun round after the accident, blocking the road.

Police closed Upper Street to through traffic until after midnight, while the damage to the house was assessed and electric and gas supplies made safe.

Some neighbours lost their power temporarily during the process.

The accident occured immediately beyond a build-out – widened section of pavement that is supposed to act as a speed deterrent, marking the start of the 30mph zone.

It’s understood the crash driver failed to give way to oncoming traffic which had priority.

Neighbours believe the driver tried to race through the narrowed gap in the face of an oncoming vehicle.

He made it through but lost control, it is claimed.

The female driver of the other vehicle stopped at the scene.

Ben Bristow, who lives nearby, said: “We feel vibrations in the house every time a large vehicle goes by and there was a sensation too with the crash and the lights flickered.

“I went outside to see the car had spun round across the road. Then I saw the damage to the house.”

Neighbours came out to help but the driver got out on his own.

Mr Bristow said: “He was shouting and cursing. He seemed to think the accident was everybody’s fault but his own.

“At one stage he tried to get back in the car on the passenger side but couldn’t open the door because it was so crumpled.

“Then he took something out of the boot of the car and suddenly ran off.

“All the properties here are owned by the same landlord.

“That particular one had been empty for a few weeks. Ironically, a new tenant had just signed a lease that day, but they won’t be moving in now.”

Known as The Square, the properties are former farmworkers’ cottages dating from the 19th century.

And now residents are calling for action to be taken to ensure similar crashes do not occur.

Mr Bristow said: “Something needs to be done to improve that build-out.

“There have been several near misses there with cars trying to race through. Perhaps a camera?

“That night it was very wet and also the road is probably greasier and dirtier than normal because the B2163 was closed for a long while for the water repair works.

“It only reopened a week ago.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called just after 6.45pm on Monday to a report of a car colliding with a house in Upper Street, Maidstone.

“Officers attended alongside Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

“The driver left the scene prior to the arrival of officers, who completed a thorough search of the area. No injuries were reported and inquiries to locate the driver and establish the circumstances are under way. ”