A NEWSAGENT said he cheated death when a huge tree was blown over and crushed his car during high winds last night.

David Cowgill, 41, of Eshton Terrace, Clitheroe, was driving home from work at Cowgill's Stationers and Toy Shop in the town centre when his car was struck by the tree.

The tree fell over in Littlemoor Road at 6.15pm and struck the roof of his Rover 214 before bouncing backwards and wrecking the rear wing of the vehicle.

David said the freak accident could have been a lot worse and he was just glad to be alive.

He said his car had suffered substantial damage and he was informing his insurance company today.

The incident had left him shaken.

David said: "I think the tree keeled over in the storm and the car is certainly a mess but it could have been a lot worse for me.

"I have never experienced anything like it before."

Littlemoor Road was closed for 30 minutes as the emergency services removed the tree from across the carriageway.

Despite some strong winds last night there were no more reports of damage across East Lancashire.