THREE women, who had enjoyed a pub meal in the Herefordshire countryside, returned to the dining room almost immediately - in their car.

Giving a new meaning to the term drive-through, it smashed through a wall, sending tables and chairs flying and cutlery and glasses crashing.

Happily, the car's occupants escaped serious injury and no diners were in the vicinity. And the Kinnersley Arms is still open for pub and restaurant business.

Landlord Andy Chilvers could not believe it when he heard a crash and found the red hatchback containing three very shocked occupants 'parked' in his dining room.

"I was serving behind the bar at the time and heard a squeal of tyres and a bang. It was like a falling of bricks and the lights went out and the alarm went off.

Tables took impact

"Fortunately Eardisley Young Farmers were having a meeting and there were two nurses in the pub who were all brilliant because they looked after the women,'' said Andy.

Neighbours also provided help until two fire engines, two ambulances and half a dozen police cars arrived on the scene.

"Any other night there would have been people in the dining room. There were three tables that went along the impact wall - it does not bear thinking about," added Andy's wife, Tess.

Andy, a former farmer from Dilwyn, and Tess moved into the pub six months ago with their son, 11-month-old Harry, after the devastating effects of foot and mouth prompted them to try something different.

Assuring the Hereford Times the pub and restaurant is open for business as usual, Andy explained dining tables will be set up in other function rooms within the pub.

"The restaurant is now in Harry's playroom," he joked.

The saving grace could well have been an ancient cast iron beet pulper that had been against the outside wall and planted up with blooms.

When the car hit the farm implement it caused the bonnet of the car to fly up saving them from a shower of bricks and mortar.

Explaining that he does not blame anyone for the accident, Andy's only concern was that everyone was okay. He said: "You have got to see the lighter side of it because there is nobody hurt, thank god - they are three lovely people. It is a pure fluke."