A car has smashed into the side of Thornton Heath Leisure Centre and stopped just before it ploughed into the pool.

The incident happened at around 1.15pm in the High Street as a motorist clipped the side of another car as he attempted to park.

The Toyota Rav4 then mounted the pavement and smashed through the panes of glass in the pool area.

Onlookers said it stopped just metres away from the viewing gallery and swimmers in the pool.

Watch manager Michael Barratt, from Norbury Fire Station, said: "I wouldn't like to think what could have happened but it could have been a disaster.

"As we were leaving the scene the borough's building surveyor was on his way down as the structure of the building was said to be unsafe."

The elderly male driver is said to be in shock but was not injured in the accident and the car had little damage.

Police, ambulance and fire crews attended the scene.