THIS dramatic photograph shows the scene that greeted pub-goers when strong spring tides caught out an unlucky driver near Plymouth.

The owner had parked near The Ship Inn, in Noss Mayo, to visit a friend when fierce winds and heavy rain began lashing the quiet village.

Helpless eyewitnesses said the vehicle was swept away in an instant as they watched the tide surge in on Thursday evening.

When the lady returned at 9pm, her gold Vauxhall Astra was already flooded with water and sinking.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said it was 'a nightmare' watching her beloved vehicle submerged in the estuary.

Considerate eyewitnesses rallied round to drive her back to her home in neighbouring Newton Ferrers, while nearby resident John Leonard helped to retrieve the soaked vehicle.

It was tied to a railing at the pub, with seaweed hanging tellingly from the rope, to await a recovery crew yesterday afternoon.

Both the owner and her pal Cynthia Tarrant believe the vehicle is a write-off.

Mrs Tarrant said: "It was a very high spring tide, very powerful.

"It can be almost like the Severn Bore down here.

"It comes in so strong and fast there are often boats getting overturned and washed up.

"She left here at 9pm and then it was completely under the water."

The elderly owner added: "It was a nightmare.

"I had had the car a long, long time. But these things happen, I suppose, I will have to get a new one now."