A WOMAN who demolished a neighbour's porch after accidentally accelerating her automatic car in reverse today spoke of her shock.

Margaret Whittle, of East Park Avenue, Darwen, crossed the road in her P-reg Rover Metro and smashed through metal gates and a vestibule before eventually stopping close to the front door of a detached house opposite.

"I had just come back from baby-sitting at my son's house and as I was going up my drive. I decided to reverse and put the car in my garage," she explained. "I put my foot on the pedal and lost control. It all happened so quickly. Luckily nobody was hurt but it has caused a lot of damage and really shook me up."

The crash happened shortly after midnight. The house is empty and up for sale. Its owners were at the scene today assessing the damage but did not want to talk about the incident. Building inspectors from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will ensure the property is safe before the car is moved.

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