A suspected uninsured driver led police on a chase from Chippenham to Corsham, where his car crashed into two parked vehicles and damaged a wall.

A police traffic unit had signalled for the 34-year-old driver to pull over in Bath Road, Chippenham, on Saturday at 6.07pm, after his vehicle came up on their system as possibly having no insurance.

The driver stopped briefly, before speeding off. Officers initially lost sight of him, but soon located the car on the A4 and a pursuit began.

Seven minutes later, the blue BMW 323i convertible had crashed into two parked cars in Bradford Road, Corsham, leaving the road covered in glass and other debris.

One witness, who had been sitting in her living room, said: “I heard a heck of a bang. It was an awful shock. The noise was horrific, because it was metal on metal. I checked and saw my neighbour’s car at an angle diagonally across the middle of the road. I had parked in front of his and I thought, ‘Where is my car?’”

The resident fears her three-year-old Citroen C1 is a write-off. She had parked outside her house, but the car had been jolted out of position and spun several metres up the road.

An Audi estate car has been written off and damage was caused to a garden wall.

The witness added: “It was absolutely horrendous. The car had been moved with horrific force. Anyone could have been outside, getting in their car at the time.”

The road was closed for several hours, while police and Wiltshire Council cleaned up all the shattered car parts.

A fire engine was also called to the scene.

Another local resident, Julia Wilkins, said: “All I heard was a smash. It was a shock to the system.”

Her husband, Keith, added: “My neighbour, Martin, would not have stood a chance if he had been in his car or getting out. He could have lost his legs or been killed.”

Police say following the crash the driver tried to run off, but was detained and seen by members of an ambulance crew, who said he had not suffered any serious injuries.

He has been charged for dangerous driving and having no insurance and is due to appear at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court on January 22.

He was released on bail until his court appearance.

Sgt Louis McCoy, of Chippenham police, said: “Thankfully, no one was injured.

“We are intent on keeping criminals off the road.”