AN elderly woman driver crashed through the front window of a busy optician's - in her Ford Focus.

The driver and her male passenger suffered slight injuries and were taken to hospital after the car went out of control.

Jeoffrey Willetts, partner of Willetts and Doig Optometrists, said it was a miracle that no one had been hurt.

Three members of staff and a member of the public were in the shop when the car careered in.

He said: "There was a loud crash and I turned around to see a car coming through the window with half the shop front on top of it.

"It was heading straight for our receptionist and I thought she was going to be crushed - but she amazingly managed to jump out of the way just in time.

"The chair she was sitting on is now embedded in a cupboard at the back of the shop.

"I dread to think what would have happened if she had still been sitting in it."

Receptionist Chantelle Gibbard, 24, was treated at hospital for shock after diving out of the way of the car.

Damage to the shop - which was refurbished less than a year ago - will run into thousands of pounds.

Police closed off High Street, West Cowes, Isle of Wight, for an hour and a half and re-routed traffic as they removed the vehicle.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "The car crashed through the front of an optician's and caused serious damage.

"The female driver and male passenger were slightly injured and taken to hospital by ambulance."