Mum's shocker as tree falls on car

She had offered to allow the to family use space behind her home in Livingstone Road, Blackburn, for security.

The tree also damaged two fences and a wall between their homes when it came down.

"I couldn't believe my eyes. I was tired in the morning because I'd been up a lot with my little girl and really thought I was seeing things," said Mrs Noblet, who lives with her three children Jason, 15, Keiran, 12, and Jessica, one. "Access to the back of my home has been completely cut off, it's unbelievable."

Motorists were advised to stay at home during the weekend as temperatures plummeted and caused treacherous road conditions. Black ice was reported on roads throughout the area.

A section of Tockholes Road, Tockholes, was closed when seven cars were involved in a collision outside the Rock Inn on Saturday evening. Gritters were out in force to clear the main roads and police continued to issue safety warnings yesterday. Four members of the same family were injured in one of the many road accidents caused by snow, rain and black ice.

The Highcock family, of Stonyhurst, were travelling in a Volvo 240 on the A59 at Bracewell, when it was involved in a collision with a Ford Escort van.

The Volvo was driven by Miranda Highcock, 41. She suffered a neck injury and shock. Also injured were Edmund Highcock, 14, who had a head injury, Saskia Highcock, 12, had a neck injury and shock and Camilla Highcock, 10, who suffered an ear injury. Van driver Steven Leeming, of Skipton Road, Cononley, near Skipton, escaped unhurt.

A police spokesman said Mrs Highcock lost control on the icy road, causing the car to spin out of control and collide with the oncoming van.

That accident was one of a number at about 7pm on Saturday, after a heavy shower affected frozen roads.

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