A taxi driver heard an “almighty bang” when his car was struck by a brick as he drove in darkness to drop off a passenger.

David Thompson, who runs taxi firm D-Way Travel, was driving on the A143 on Saturday (June 1) night when an object he initially assumed to be wildlife hit the front of his vehicle.

After arriving at his passenger's house, he discovered a house brick had gone through the bumper and become lodged in the engine bay.

Several drivers have reported being hit in recent days by objects thought to be rocks or stones, with incidents occurring on the A146 and A143 in locations including North Cove, Barnby and Stockton.

Mr Thompson, who lives on The Street in Earsham, explained the overwhelming shock of the brick's impact.

"I was going along the A143, somewhere around Buck Hills Wood, when I met two cars which were about 100 yards away," he said.

"Just as I got level with the first car I saw this object coming towards me from the second car. At first I thought it was a pheasant, but I soon discounted that when there was an almighty bang.

"It literally shook the car - it was as if I'd slammed onto the brakes and then come straight off. I said to my passenger 'that wasn't a pheasant, it was a lump of concrete.'"

After arriving at the drop-off, Mr Thompson's passenger investigated the damage and said "straight away" that the car had been hit by a brick because of the resulting imprint.

The vehicle screen wash bottle had been smashed and the brick was left embedded in the engine bay, alongside a number of additional "golf ball-sized" chunks.

As the number of reported incidents continues to grow, Mr Thompson's main concern is the potential danger to life.

"These people don't realise how serious and dangerous this is - or maybe they do," he added. "They might think they are having a bit of fun but that fun might kill somebody.

"If the brick had stayed at the height it was initially thrown, I probably wouldn't be here now."

Police are conducting a full investigation to apprehend those responsible for the numerous incidents. Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage is asked to call 101.