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Pub stays open for England match despite car crash

Alexander Stevanovicin South Benfleet
News imageLilly-Mae Langley A crimson coloured vehicle can be seen after it has crashed into a pub. Some of the brickwork has been damaged and has fallen away.Lilly-Mae Langley
Conservative MP Rebecca Harris said "amazingly" the pub was staying open

A pub will remain open to screen England's hotly anticipated World Cup semi-final match despite a car crashing into the building.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash in High Road in South Benfleet on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite pictures showing the seriously damaged brick frontage, the Anchor Inn said it would demonstrate the Three Lions' spirit and keep the doors open.

Hayley Sewell, the landlord, said: "We wanted to remain open for the Benfleet community, who have given us so much."

News imageLilly-Mae Langley The front of the pub can be seen with a vehicle having crashed into its frontage. Firefighters in yellow high-vis jackets are outside.Lilly-Mae Langley
Fire crews helped rescue a casualty from one of the cars
News imageAlexander Stevanovic/BBC The Anchor Inn can be seen with wooden boards covering the damage. St George's flags are also hanging on it.Alexander Stevanovic/BBC
The Anchor Inn's damaged frontage was boarded up on Tuesday evening

Sewell added that the crash caused a "nuisance" to business but they managed to board up the damage on Tuesday night and stay open.

Writing on social media, Rebecca Harris, the Conservative MP for Castle Point, said "amazingly" the pub had not closed its doors.

An Essex Police spokesperson said the force was called at about 17:40 BST and said no life-threatening or life-changing injuries were reported.

Fire crews from Rayleigh Weir and Grays helped rescue a casualty from one of the cars and left them in the care of the ambulance service.

England kick off against Argentina at 20:00 BST, with the match live on BBC One.

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