A 19-YEAR-OLD man was last nightbeing questioned after he lost control of his car and ploughed into the wall of a house.The Colchester man, who had only recently passed his driving test, was driving alone down Straight Road, Lexden, Colchester around 9pm when his white Peugeot 106 careered into the semi-detached house.

A 19-YEAR-OLD man was last nightbeing questioned after he lost control of his car and ploughed into the wall of a house.

The Colchester man, who had only recently passed his driving test, was driving alone down Straight Road, Lexden, Colchester around 9pm when his white Peugeot 106 careered into the semi-detached house.

No-one was in at the time and police were trying to contact the occupants late last night.

Peter Gauntlett, senior field supervisor from Colchester Borough Homes, which is part of the borough council, was on the scene inspecting the damage.

He said: "It's quite extensive and I'd imagine there's structural damage – the downstairs window lentil has certainly moved.

"I've checked whether the car is still supporting any of the house and it appears not, so we can now get the vehicle towed out and board up the hole.

"It will then be up to the owners to instigate any repairs themselves – I'd imagine the whole thing could have been a lot worse if people had been sitting in that room," he added.

Next door neighbour John Marshall described hearing a terrifying bang.

He said: "There was this huge thud, so we looked out of the window and just saw this man sitting there in his car.

"I thought he might have been hurt, but apparently he's all right. I've had a cursory look at my property and it looks fine, but you can't tell."

Sgt Chris Tyler, of Stanway road police unit, said: "The boy had only just passed his test. We're looking into what happened, but it looks as though he's braked too late somewhere."

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Stanway road policing unit on 01206 762512.