A CAR has smashed into the statue by Chester Town Hall.

Chester Police have been dealing with the incident, which happened before noon, as hundreds of students have been attending the nearby Chester Cathedral for their graduation ceremony.

Chester and District Standard:

The vehicle, a dark grey Honda, has been towed away from the scene after it struck the statue outside Chester Town Hall.

An eyewitness said they had seen a man, who had been sat at the Parklet in front of the Chester Town Hall steps, having to dive away to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

Chester and District Standard: The damage to the statue outside Chester Town Hall.The damage to the statue outside Chester Town Hall.

Police said: "We would like to reassure people this it is not terrorism related and there are no reports of any serious injuries."

A Cheshire Constabulary spokesperson added: "At 11.22am on Friday 29 April, officers on patrol in Chester city centre came across a collision near to the town hall.

Chester and District Standard: The damage to the statue outside Chester Town Hall.The damage to the statue outside Chester Town Hall.

"The incident involved a silver Honda Jazz which has collided with a statue.

"The incident is not terrorism related and there are no reports of any serious injuries.

"The driver of the car, a 75-year-old woman, has been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure."

The statue, 'A celebration of Chester', was created by sculptor Stephen Broadbent, and was unveiled in the city in September 1992.

Cheshire West and Chester Council officers have arrived on the scene to inspect the significant damage done to the statue steps. However, the sculpture itself appears to have remained intact.