A CAR has been washed away after huge waves crashed over a defence wall at a Dorset beach, dragging it backwards.

Huge waves battered Chesil Beach, Portland on Saturday night, shutting Portland Beach Road, and leading to flooding.

Emergency Services, including HM Coastguard and paramedics were called to the Chiswell area of Portland at around 9.30pm last night due to the crashing waves, which caused water and debris to run into streets.

Members of the public were gathered high up on the island to watch the storm which caused water and debris to run into the streets.

Brandy Row was hit hard by waves and a car was washed backwards into a wall.

Storm Wallace was out watching the waves. She said: "The waves were more than 20-feet high - they were incredible. There was no wind at all which made the storm so unexpected.

"I was parked near The Cove House Inn and the waves were getting closer and closer so I moved my car and drove to a higher point on the island. I'm so lucky I did because just after I had parked up, I saw waves crash over where my car had been so mine could have been washed away too."