A "stolen" 24-tonne bulldozer ploughed through a Royal Mail lorry as stunned onlookers watched in shock."

Footage, taken in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, shows the huge lorry parked across Willenhall Road - moments before the crash.

A 41-year-old man has since been arrested and remains in custody.

Crowds gathered on the pavement, filming as officers ran along the road last night (November 8).

Moments later, members of the public could be heard shouting about a "stolen bulldozer" approaching."

Videos show the lorry being rammed out of the way and forced into railings as the digger continues thundering down the road.

Charlene Harris, 47, who filmed the incident, had been in The Merry Boys Inn pub moments earlier, when a crowd rushed outside to see the commotion.

She said: "When we came out, it looked like the police were stopping the Royal Mail van, but then we realised a copper was driving it."

"It was being used to block the road. The police were shouting at everyone to keep away - and then we got word that a bulldozer was coming down from Willenhall."

"The bulldozer got through the lorry easily. We couldn't believe what was going on. The amount of police trying to stop it was unbelievable."

West Midlands Police received calls from the public shortly before 6pm and rushed to stop the earthmover as it damaged road surfaces and street furniture.

The machine made its way through Wolverhampton city centre, along Bridgnorth Road, Compton Road West, and even onto the A4150 dual carriageway.

It finally came to a stop on New Road, Willenhall, at 8.15pm.

A man, aged 41, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, dangerous driving, threat to damage or destroy property, theft, failure to stop, taking a conveyance (not a motor vehicle) without consent and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour to cause harassment.

He remains in custody.

Royal Mail has been approached for comment