AN ELDERLY man had a narrow escape last night when a car careered into the front of his home.

The pensioner was watching television at his house in White Lodge Close, Tilehurst, when a navy BMW hit the bay window of his lounge at 10.30pm.

Firefighters from Dee Road spent an hour at the scene, and watch manager Steve Andrews said: "There is extensive damage to the front of the property.

"We removed the car from the building, helped move the elderly gentleman's furniture around and made the area secure, so he is able to carry on living there."

He added: "He was not injured, although he was obviously in shock - one minute he was watching TV and the next thing he knows this had happened.

"But his neighbours rallied around, got him a cup of tea and looked after him."

The man driving the car, who is thought to have blacked out, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Berkshire Hospital but his injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police also attended the scene.