A man having his hair cut was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries after a car ploughed through the window of a barber's shop.

The customer was trapped inside the building when the Renault 21 left the road and careered into the front of the building.

Firefighters from Bexhill, Uckfield and Lewes were called to Sharp Style in Buckhurst Place, Bexhill, at 12.45pm yesterday to free the man, who was trapped by his legs.

Owner Keith Green said: "The guy who got hit called out, I looked up and just stepped backwards. He just couldn't get out of the way in time. The man in my chair got up and stepped back as well."

He said builders were already at work on the shop but it would be open as usual.

Fire crews from Uckfield used specialist rescue equipment while a team from Lewes made sure the building was safe.

The man was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

The car, which had become embedded in the building, was towed away.

The driver suffered minor cuts to his hand.

An investigation has been launched by Bexhill traffic police and witnesses should call 0845 6070999.