It stunned pedestrians, drivers and people living and working nearby on Tuesday.

Around 8-45 p.m. the dark blue saloon smashed through two of the huge plate glass windows of the Pendleview Service Station on Colne Road, sending a shower of large shards over the floor and sweets and provisions displays. Behind the counter was a young member of the Rochdale family which leases the premises. A young man and woman had just entered the shop.

CCTV film inside the shop shows the young man reacting quickly and jumping out of the way as the car with headlights blazing ploughs past him inside the premises.

The 23-year-old victim, however, took some of the force of the window glass, reeled and then fell over. She was taken to hospital with numerous deep cuts, a police spokesman said.

The film also captures the moments when the vehicle arrives at the filling station, then is reversed into the main road before accelerating forward.

She has now been released after having 10 stitches in her foot.

The family which runs the filling station was able to bring down the metal shutters to secure the building.

The next morning, the shutters remained closed but it was business as usual.

Borough councillor Naeem Ashraf said the owner of the barber's shop, Mr Mohammed Aslam, was desperately trying to repair the badly-damaged front of his Modern Hairdressing Saloon on Burnley Road and was having to call in builders.

Det. Insp. Simon Cheyte, of Pennine Division CID, said: "I can confirm that we are investigating an incident involving a number of collisions around 8-45 p.m. on Tuesday.

"The incident began when an M-registration Toyota Carina was driven through the window of the One Stop Shop, injuring a woman in her twenties who was inside the shop.

"The vehicle then made off along Burnley Road where it collided with a wall at Modern Hairdressing. It then made off again, colliding with a Toyota Corolla on Milton Street, Brierfield.

"A 42-year-old driver was subsequently arrested on Railway Street after the vehicle was abandoned and has since been charged with wounding with intent. We are appealing for anyone with any information about the incident to contact local police on 08451 253545 or to call Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555111."

Following the incient, Muzaffar Iqbal (42), of Pilgrim Street, Nelson, was remanded in custody by Pennine Magistrates until January 5th charged with wounding with intent.