Car crashes into museum in late-night crash

Emergency services survey the scene at the David Howkins Museum of Memories. Photo: Eva Howkins (Image: Eva Howkins)

Emergency services were called to the David Howkins Museum of Memories in King Street at around 10.30pm on Saturday night.

Its owner Eva Howkins was on her works night out at nearby Quayside Plaza and rushed to the scene.

She said she was shocked to find the historic entrance listing, having been struck with such force that the concrete plinths had been taken out and a glass conservatory ceiling was hanging by a thread.

The museum has been shut since its founder and lifetime collector Valerie Howkins died last year.

Her daughter Eva staged a weekend opening in September which drew thousands of visitors eager to see the unusual items, many drawn for royal and circus circles.

She said with so many people about she was very grateful no-one had been hurt, adding: 'That would have been a dreadful Christmas, after all it is just a building. It does look a sad old state.

'We still have high hopes. This is not the end of it.'

The building has been boarded up and will need a more thorough assessment in the new year.

Police confirmed they were called to a single vehicle accident on Saturday night.

The ambulance and fire service were also called.

The driver of the car, an elderly man, was reportedly shocked but unhurt, although the collision was forceful enough to inflate the airbag.