POLICE, a publican and a member of the public escaped serious injury when a patrol car crashed into a pub at high speed.

The car, on an emergency call with its blue lights flashing and siren blaring, was travelling down Mayplace Road West in the centre of Bexleyheath, just yards from Bexleyheath police station It collided with a red Vauxhall Corsa driven by a member of the public who was turning right into Forresters Crescent.

The police car, containing two officers, then mounted the pavement, sending the 15ft-high oak pole which holds the Jolly Millers pub sign crashing forwards, smashing the pub's lights and guttering, before it came to rest against a top floor window.

Another pub sign was sent flying through the toilet window and its giant flowerpots were scattered and smashed across the pavement.

After flattening the road sign, the police car ended up partly embedded in the pub wall.

The two officers and the man driving the other car suffered shock and minor injuries.

They all declined hospital treatment. No-one else was injured.

Jolly Millers manager David Fairholme, 55, had yet to open up for the day when the crash happened at 11.40am.

He was just switching on the pub's fruit machines when he heard three huge bangs and went outside to see what had happened.

Mr Fairholme said: "I thought I'd won the jackpot."

He had to set about clearing the broken glass, pots and crushed plants from inside and outside the pub.

The oak pole and sign were taken away and will be replaced next week.

Mr Fairholme said: "There was no structural damage and we have been able to open up as usual."

Gino Diambrosio, who owns the Ace Computers shop opposite the pub, heard the commotion and went outside to see if he could help. He provided coffee to the shocked Corsa driver.

Mr Diambrosio said: "The man was really shaken but not hurt.

"One of the police officers was holding his arm."

Bexleyheath police confirmed the details of the August 24 accident, which is now under investigation by the vehicle collision unit based at the Met Police's traffic garage in Catford.