A RETIRED couple were trapped in the bedroom of their home after a car rammed into their house, demolishing their front porch and hallway.

Jack and Ann Brayshaw were asleep upstairs at their home in Moss Lane, Whitefield, on Thursday night (May 16) when they were woken by an enormous bang at 2.40am.

When the frightened couple investigated, they discovered the car was wedged in the foot of the staircase. The driver had managed to clamber out of the car and flee.

Pictured is the scene of the wreckage in the aftermath of the incident.

Mrs Brayshaw (60) said: "There was a terrific bang and we both jumped up. The alarm went off and we thought there was a fire. There was a lot of 'smoke' but it turned out to be dust from the bricks. We saw the car at the bottom of the stairs and shouted to someone to call the police."

Her husband (63), a retired brewery worker, added: "We had just rendered the front two weeks ago and now it is a complete mess. Something should be done about this road. Cars come out of Stanley Road, like in this case, and they go at top speed."

The Brayshaws, who have lived in Moss Lane for more than 30 years, said they had a narrow escape last year when a car ploughed down a tree outside their home.

"Luckily the tree took the impact and it didn't touch the house but the tree had only been up around six months," said Mrs Brayshaw.

She added: "I dread to think what would have happened if the crash had been during the day. Our telephone is in the hall and I was on for three-quarters of an hour to a relative last night. We are just glad no one was hurt. How the driver managed to escape I don't know as the car was covered with rubble."

On discovering the wreckage, the couple ran back upstairs while they waited for help and were finally led to safety through a gap between the car and the stairs when the emergency services arrived.

The Renault Megane car which caused the damage had been reported stolen.

Anyone with information should contact Bury traffic unit on 0161 856 8071.