The front of a recently opened cafe was smashed as a car swerved straight into it.

Witnesses described hearing a “massive noise” as they saw the Mazda plough into Matilda’s in High Street, Kings Langley, at around 6.55pm yesterday.

Herts Police said that a black Mazda CX-3 and a grey Nissan Qashqai had been involved in a “near miss” causing the Mazda to swerve out of the way, hitting the café.

(Image: Andy Putman)

The front window was broken and a display of plants in-front of the wall was destroyed. Both cars remained at the scene, and nobody was injured.

The bistro only opened in June but has been forced to close as the extent of the damage is assessed and owner Sam Cowham deals with insurance.

(Image: Andy Putman)

Mr Cowham, who named the businesses after his four-year-old daughter, said: “I’m closed today and until I find out what I can and can’t do. It’s out of my hands.

“No one was hurt which is the main thing, its just one of those things.”

Matilda's storefront after the crash.Matilda's storefront after the crash. (Image: Andy Putman)