Partners of a hairdressers in Clacton have praised their local community for their help after a van hit their business.

Finishing touches on The Hairdresser in Old Road had only just been completed when a van came through the front of the building on Sunday morning.

A man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and criminal damage.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution and is now in police custody.

No-one else was hurt during the incident, a spokesman for Essex Police said.

Firefighters from Clacton and Weeley as well as the Urban Search and Rescue unit had to be called to scene at around 9.30am on May 6.

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue service said: “The officer in charge immediately requested the support of Urban Search and Rescue to help stabilise the building and make the area safe.

“Crews evacuated residents of the flats above the shop premises as a precaution.

“Firefighters then worked alongside the Ambulance Service to allow them to access the man.”

Pamela Hardy is one of The Hairdresser’s leaseholders and partners. She was in London when the incident took place and was alerted by owner Neil Anthony.

“He just said at that stage that a van was in the shop,” said Mrs Hardy.

As soon as she had been alerted to the damage Mrs Hardy drove up to Clacton from Croydon.

“Everything has gone in the shop,” said Mrs Hardy, “ it’s destroyed.”

Mr Anthony had hoped that the shop’s interior would help to bring London to Clacton but Mrs Hardy confirmed that everything, including a stud wall installed to create a kitchen space had gone.

“Neil is very well liked,” said Mrs Hardy, “and a good hairdresser.”

The Hairdresser has received a great deal of support from the local community in the wake of the collision.

“I cannot fault those people at all,” said Mrs Hardy.

“They are as shocked as we are and they have all been supporting Neil.”

The next step for the shop will be to speak their letting agents so they can begin to look to the future.

“Until we speak to them we have absolutely no idea,” said Mrs Hardy.

The Essex Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing.