The windows were shattered and security grills were left hanging precariously from the shops on Oxford Road, west Reading.

A red Peugeot 208 is believed to have left the road, mounted the pavement before hitting Christian Community Action and Shazz Hair and Beauty.

The wrecked car, that was believed to have four men travelling in it, had then richcoceted 10ft back onto the road.

One lane of the Oxford Road, at the junction with Connaught Road, was closed as traffic accident investigators from Thames Valley Police examined the scene.

It was expected to remain that way until recovery services had taken the car away later this morning.

Firefighters from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue service examined the shops to make sure they were safe.

A spokesman from the Caversham crew said that they were called out at 5:30am.

He said: "The structural integrity of the building is destroyed as are the faces of Christian Community Action and Shazz Hair and Beauty are both ruined from where the car drove into it. I think the police are bringing in a structural engineer to make sure it is safe.

"The car is a complete write-off as well."

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said officers were looking for a fourth person from the car that made off from the scene.

She said: "The three people that were in the vehicle are currently with officers at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Two of them are being treated for minor injuries.

"There has been suggestions that a fourth person was in the vehicle and we are appealing for them to come forward."

No arrests had been made.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service confirmed they treated one passenger at the scene for minor injuries, and after an assessment took them to Royal Berkshire Hospital.

One man, who asked not to be named, was asleep in a flat behind the shops when the car crashed in the early hours of this morning.

He said: "I heard a loud bang. Then came out here and saw this."

Police were expected to remain on the scene to keep the shops secure for the owners until they could be made safe by repair companies.

Christian Community Action collects good quality second hand furniture that is no longer required before redistributing it to those in need or sold in the Oxford Road charity shop.