A MERCEDES driver who had been drinking before getting behind the wheel is ‘lucky to be alive’ police officers have said.

Emergency services were called to Thornton on Sunday evening following reports of a collision – and on arrival found a grey Mercedes has ploughed through a lamppost and six concrete bollards before narrowly missing a bus shelter.

Somehow the driver, who was reportedly over the drink-drive limit, was unhurt.

A police spokesman said: “Helping @WyrePolice with a drink driver who is lucky to be alive and unhurt after ploughing through a lamppost, 6 concrete bollards and just missing a bus shelter which was luckily empty. Amazingly lucky nobody was seriously injured....don’t drink and drive.”