Locals say they are "distraught" after two historic landmarks in Tameside were badly damaged in a crash.
The Grade II listed monuments in Audenshaw dating back to the 19th century were today both lying in pieces after the smash in the early hours.
A 34 year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of drink driving over the incident police have confirmed and he remains in custody for questioning.
Officers say they were called just before 5am after reports of a crash involving just one car, a BMW 330.
Locals said they heard a long loud bang and saw the car had mounted the pavement and crashed at a junction known locally as 'the trough.'
It takes its name from the granite cattle and horse drinking trough which has sat at the Y junction of Manchester Road and Audenshaw Road since 1879.
However council bosses were today urgently trying to have it salvaged and repaired after it was knocked over and chunks taken out in the crash.
A cast iron electricity transformer which sits behind it and used to contain three lamps to direct trams during the days of the Manchester Corporation was also flattened and badly damaged.
It is the only one surviving in the region.
Both are part of the official Grade II listing of the trough, the M.E.N understands.
Mum Kelly Chapman, 39, who lives facing the junction with her husband and daughter said: "I have seen some crashes at the junction over the years but never one as bad as that.
"I heard what sounded like a barrel falling off the back of a wagon. It was so loud it woke me up. We looked out and could see the car. It had gone over the trough and smashed into the transformer. They were all in bits. A few of the other neighbours ran out and then the police turned up.
"It's just really upsetting to see it like that.
"That belongs to the people of Audenshaw and a lot of hard work has gone to looking after, preserving and maintaining it. We need to make sure it is secured urgently and saved. It defines the area we can't lose it."
Local councillors say work is underway to try and save both artifacts.
In a joint statement to the Manchester Evening News , Labour ward councillors Oliver Ryan, Charlotte Martin and Terese Smith said: "We are distraught that someone has done such significant damage.
"It is really distressing. It is a much loved landmark.
"Unfortunately increased recklessness on the roads like this has consequences, if it's not people being hit it's landmarks like the trough.
"Sadly it's not the first time it has been hit.
"We are working quickly with Tameside Council to have it salvaged and repaired."
According to Historic England the polished Cornish granite trough was installed on behalf of Miss M. Ashworth in 1879 as a rest stop at a time when both cattle and horses were still regular users of the public highways.
The front of it carries the inscription ' the righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.'
In modern times locals have used it as a planter for flowers to brighten up the area.
