A DRIVER was branded "very lucky" to escape serious injury after his lorry toppled over at the road entrance to Tesco in Prestwich, causing chaos for shoppers and motorists.

Vehicle access to the supermarket off Bury New Road was closed for seven hours on Tuesday as a major rescue and recovery operation was carried out.

The Tesco car park was deserted as police barriers prevented cars from driving into the store, although scores of detemined shoppers parked on nearby roads.

The incident began at 3.40pm when HGV driver Garry Sykes (45), from Clifton, turned right into Valley Park Road. The timber-laden lorry tilted over onto its side, crashing into railings which run alongside the pavement.

Fire crews from Whitefield and Broughton managed to rescue the shocked driver from his cab by cutting away the windscreen.

He was taken to North Manchester General Hospital suffering from a broken shoulder and cuts to his face, a sore neck and bruised ribs. He was released later that evening and is now recovering at home, with his wife and young son, and is expected to be off work for at least four weeks.

His boss Swinton-based Swain Haulage and Storage, depot manager Rob Blackshaw said Mr Sykes was lucky not to have suffered more injuries.

He said: "We are grateful it was nothing more severe. The driver could have easily been thrown from the cab but the vehicle rolled over quite slowly. I have been to see the driver and he is in a lot of pain. Both he and I are thankful nobody was seriously injured. We are very, very fortunate that no other vehicles were involved in the collision."

Sub officer Steve Simpson, of Whitefield fire station, said: "When something like this happens, there is always a danger that the railings could cut through the cab and injure whoever is inside. Fortunately, with the way the lorry landed, the railings were crushed.

"He was a very lucky man. It was also lucky that no one was walking along the pavement when the lorry overturned as they wouldn't have stood a chance. This could have been a lot worse."

Mr Blackshaw said Mr Sykes had been just one motorway junction away from the depot on his final journey of the day when he decided to call at Tesco for provisions. Earlier that day he had collected a load of timber from Goole in Yorkshire.

Police cordoned off Valley Park Road as recovery firm Billington Bros tried to hoist the 55ft-long vehicle upright. As the load was so heavy - around 23 tonnes - the recovery team took away the tarpaulin sides of the trailer to remove the timber before using lifting equipment to drag the vehicle back onto its wheels.

Rush-hour Traffic backed up along Bury New Road to Scholes Lane as motorists slowed down to look at the debris and Tesco was forced to close its car park. People visiting TGI Friday's, Prestwich Hospital and Bunnyhops Nursery were also forced to park elsewhere and walk to their destination.

A Tesco spokesman said: "The accident did block the entrance to the store for a number of hours. However the store did not close and customers were still able to visit the store, those walking were not affected and alternative arrangements were made by the police for customers to park adjacent to the store. Staff provided food and water to the emergency services as they worked to clear the accident."

Police reopened part of the carriageway at 10.15pm to allow access to the store and the rest of the road was fully open at around 11pm.

Bury Traffic Unit have appealed for witnesses to the incident to contact PC Pete Raines on (0161) 856 8073.