A welder whose car was left with more than £2,000 worth of damage after it struck a pothole is demanding Essex Highways covers the cost.

Josh Parker was driving to work along Colchester Road, Halstead, when his Audi went over a pothole close to a building site.

The collision cracked and punctured two tyres and also put the car’s tracking out of alignment.

Having been told each wheel will cost at least £764.20 to replace and he will have to wait for at least two weeks, Mr Parker is now relying on his brother to take him to work each morning.

He said: “As soon as it happened my car was pulling to the left then I realised I had two flat wheels.

“The pothole was around six inches deep and 42 inches long. It was huge.

“I drive that way every day and haven’t had problems before.”

Mr Parker applied to Essex Highways to get compensation for the damage caused, however, his bid was rejected. It was claimed there were no problems previously, although the hole was then filled.

He said: “I feel like I’m being called a liar. It has been a real nightmare.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual compensation claims but we are happy to speak to the driver directly about his claim.

“All claims received by the council are fully investigated and damages are paid if the council is found liable as the highways authority.

“This winter we have put six additional highways crews on the ground dedicated to fixing potholes.

“In January alone, this resulted in more than 1,100 potholes being repaired.

“We have also pledged to increase spending on road and pavement repairs from £14million to £17million in this year’s budget.”