A YOUNG boy was left "shaken" after a huge wooden panel fell from the ceiling of a Bexleyheath car park, missing his head by inches.

Max Johnson, 11, was about to go bowling with his friends at Tenpin Bexleyheath, in Albion Road, at 11am on Friday, when the four foot square panel fell from above.

His mother Lisl told News Shopper: "We had just parked and got a ticket and then walked back to the car and shut the door.

"As we were walking away we heard an initial noise which actually made Max duck his head.

"This massive panel then crashed down in the space next to the car.

"It was a very loud crashing bang.

"It was a panel of plaster board and wood and anything that size falling from a height is going to hurt.

"He had dust in his hair and in his jacket.

"I’m not kidding when I say it was a fraction of a second and it would have been on his head."

The 44-year-old full-time mum, who lives in Bexley Park, added: "Obviously we were very shaken and Max was especially."

Max and his mother reported the incident to staff at the bowling alley who were apologetic, pointing out the Albion Road car park is run by Bexley Council.

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: "We understand a large loose tile fell from the bowling alley car park and narrowly missed Mrs Johnson and her son.

"We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and we are very sorry for the distress this incident caused Mrs Johnson and her son.

"As soon as the incident was reported to the council our building control staff were alerted and called to the site.

"Having visited the site this afternoon two more loose tiles have been removed and the area made safe."