A CAR hit a gas main after ending up over a front garden wall outside a Benfleet home this morning.

Firefighters from Rayleigh Weir station were called to the scene on London Road at around 7.15am this morning.

Crews at other stations were also put on standby in case the gas main was ruptured – but fortunately they were not needed.

Firefighters remained on hand to administer first aid to the driver – who did not appear to be seriously injured – before the ambulance service arrived.

A police spokeswoman said: "A silver Vauxhall Corsa drive by a male driver in his twenties collided with the wall and gas main.

"The gas board were called to make the area safe before the vehicle was recovered and the man was taken to hospital."