Three men have been arrested by police after a silver Volkswagen Golf drove through a Christmas market in Congleton, Chesire at 50 mph.

While the incident was not deemed terror-related, police confirmed: "Three people have been arrested following an incident in Congleton town centre this afternoon.

“It occurred shortly after 4 pm and involved a silver Volkswagen Golf which turned down the pedestrianised area of Bridge Street where the market was taking place, causing alarm to shoppers and residents.

“Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

“The car was found abandoned a short time later. Three men have been arrested and are in custody.

“Officers remain at the scene, providing a highly visible presence to reassure people.”

According to Steve Brown, a witness, and proprietor of a retro clothing store in the area, the car came "screeching" toward shoppers, leaving many concerned.

He said: "It was absolutely horrendous. A car has come screeching down the High Street – which is full of stalls and people.

“There are hundreds of people here – people with kids and dogs and lots of traders.

“He must have been doing at least 50mph. People were jumping out of the way. I saw one elderly lady who had to jump out of the way - she’s very shook up. We all are.

“We don’t really know what's happening yet, but the police are here now.”

Another witness who works at a nearby Greggs, Mandy Neville, said she saw the car “flying past the window," adding it "broke the sign that we have outside.”

She said: "There was a woman and a kid. They were a bit shaken up.

“The woman said that she’d hurt her leg. She didn’t know if something had hit her on the leg as the car came crashing through, but no one was actually injured properly.

“We brought the lad in here and gave him a drink. He was quite shook up.

“The ambulance people came and were checking him over.”