The driver had obviously strayed into the pedestrianised area by mistake. He then found himself blocked off by a man who refused to move. It appears that the motorist then nudged the man, who then produced a bottle and smashed the car windscreen.

The car quickly took off over the Town Bridge and into the Market Place, as lunchtime shoppers looked on in amazement.

Police said that nothing had been reported, but they are checking CCTV tapes to see exactly what happened.

Concern has been expressed recently about the number of vehicles which bypass the Northbrook Street bollards outside Waterstones by driving around the wrong side and illegally entering the pedestrian zone.