Vegan food is back on the menu at Surrey Street market after a stall flattened by a runaway police car reopened.

Veg Instead's owners were forced to suspend trading when the unmarked car ploughed into the stand on May 26 following a raid at the Post Office in High Street.

Another trader, 53-year-old Russell Smith, suffered minor leg injuries when the car - which had been parked in Surrey Street while officers arrested a suspect - rolled into the market.

Grace Magecha, who runs Veg Instead with co-owner Greg Kirby, said customers had rallied to help their business back onto their feet.

The 24-year-old, of Sanderstead, said: "Since the accident, people have been very helpful and generous, and our customers have been very supportive – and we’d like to thank them all for that."

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Back in business: Greg Kirby and Grace Magecha rrun vegan stall Veg Instead in Surrey Street

The pair used their unexpected break from work to find new equipment before reopening last week. 

Mr Kirby, 22, said: "We’ve been here for about three months now, and we’ve seen a gradual build-up of customers.

"We’ve been in hospitality pretty much since leaving school but this is our first venture for ourselves. We’ve always been foodies, and decided now was the time to do our own thing.

"We’re local people, so we knew Surrey Street well and were confident it would be a good place to start, and we’re pleased to say that things have been very good."

Five people have been charged with robbery and firearms offences following the raid, which left two Post Office staff injured in hospital.