Up to 30 residents were evacuated after a car crashed into a house in the early hours of this morning.

The car, a red Vauxhall Astra, hit a gas pipe on the front porch of the house in Bournemouth Road, Charlton Marshall, sparking fears of a gas leak.

No one was injured but residents were told to leave their homes for their own safety while emergency services dealt with the situation.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Damage was caused to the front porch and a stationary vehicle. A gas pipe was damaged as a result of the incident and a cordon put in place. The road was closed at the Roundhouse roundabout.

"In the interests of public safety 30 residents were evacuated from surrounding properties to the nearby village hall on Green Close while gas engineers and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service worked to make the area safe."

Police were called just after 1am and residents were not able to go back to their homes until 5.40am. The road has been re-opened.

A 28-year-old Blandford man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and is helping police with their enquiries.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch on 101.

A car crashed into a house in the early hours of this morning, sparking fears over a gas leak.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: "There was a gas leak which was a result of a car crashing into a house. The gas was isolated and we helped make the area safe."