AN elderly couple last nightspoke of their lucky escape after an out-of-control car smashed through the walls of their cottage.The accident happened shortly after 1am in The Street, Brampton, near Halesworth.

AN elderly couple last nightspoke of their lucky escape after an out-of-control car smashed through the walls of their cottage.

The accident happened shortly after 1am in The Street, Brampton, near Halesworth.

A car being driven by a 17-year-old woman lost control of a Vauxhall Astra on a bend before avoiding a telegraph pole, careering through a garden demolishing an historic water pump and ending up embedded in the wall of their home.

The driver, who was alone in the car at the time of the crash, was treated by paramedics at the scene and then taken to the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston. She was later allowed home after treatment.

The owners of the cottage, Colin and Margaret Garwood, spent yesterdaytrying to come to terms with the dramatic events.

"My wife and I were asleep when we heard an enormous bang.

"We didn't worry at first as we thought it was thunder and were waiting for the rain to come," said Mr Garwood, 72.

"We realised something was wrong when we could hear water running in the cottage as the car had broken radiators in our central heating system.

"We were shocked to see a car in our lounge but our neighbours were quickly on the scene and they helped us and the driver - they were marvellous," he said.

Mr Garwood was also full of praise for the emergency services who were quickly on the scene.

"Everyone got here very quickly and the police and ambulance crews were so good and kind to us," he said.

Mr Garwood surveyed the damage to his property and there was only one thought on his mind.

"Buildings and cars can always be repaired and I am so relieved that nobody was seriously hurt in the accident," he said.

Recovery crews yesterdayremoved the vehicle from the cottage and structural engineers.

made sure the building was safe. Building surveyors were assessing the damage to the cottage, which is expected to run into thousands of pounds and making sure the building was safe.

"We are being well looked after by our family and friends in the village," said Mr Garwood.

Police officers from Halesworth Traffic Unit are investigating the accident.

Old Pump Cottage in Brampton is named after the historic village pump that stood on a plinth in the garden. The pump was destroyed as the car skidded across the garden.