A stolen car crashed into the front of a shop in the early hours of the morning, damaging produce and equipment inside.

The black Audi A3 careered into Verni’s Mini Market in Station Road, Teynham, with such force it went through metal shutters and glass.

It happened at about midnight when the business was closed.

A 20-year-old man from Teynham was subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

He has since been released pending further inquiries.

The front half of the car was inside the shop with both air bags deployed and produce and a large fridge were badly damaged.

Owner Hari Johnston was alerted via the store’s alarm system.

He said: “It must have been doing at least 100mph. I heard a bang, my alarm had gone which is linked to my phone.

"I looked on my phone at the camera inside the shop.

"It was like a rampage."

He estimated the damage could be in the tens of thousands of pounds, not counting the loss of earnings due to not being able to open.

Insurance company representatives were expected to come out today to inspect the shop.

Mr Johnston, who has run the shop for 16 years with his wife, added: “I was really gutted. I was here until 4am and after that I had to park my van in front of the shop.”

He added Teynham residents had already approached him with offers of help.

He said the driver was thought to have jumped a fence and gone off in the direction of nearby Roper Road where it was reported dogs were barking shortly after the crash.