Couple's unwelcome anniversary gift

By Patrick Lowman

AN elderly couple received an unwelcome gift on their 42nd wedding anniversary when a van crashed into the front of their home.

Len and Mavis Finch were in their four-bedroom house in St Mary's Close, Sudbury, pondering how to spend their big day when they heard a loud bang.

Mr Finch went outside to find his neighbour's van had crashed into the front of their home, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

The drama unfolded at about 7.30am yesterday when the couple's neighbour Rob Gardiner left his works van to go indoors.

While he was indoors, Mr Gardiner's van rolled about 50 yards down the road, mounted a footpath, careered across the Finch's lawn and struck the front of their home.

The impact left the front of the house bowed and buckled - and a gaping hole in the wall, which made it possible to see inside the premises.

The inside of the dinning room was also badly damaged with cracks running across the interior walls.

A number of the couple's ornaments, including a brandy glass which Mr Finch had owned for 45 years, were also smashed in the collision.

Mr Finch said: “I was watching television and my wife was in the bath when we heard an almighty bang. When I went outside, I saw my neighbour's van had rolled down the road and smashed into the house.

“I am not angry because it was an accident and these things happen. The house is badly damaged, it will cost thousands of pounds and take weeks to repair.

“It is a real hassle because we can't go anywhere, it is our 42nd wedding anniversary and we were going out for a meal to celebrate, but obviously we can't do that now. At the end of the day, it is fortunate nobody was hurt.”

Mr Gardiner was not available for comment yesterday.

patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk