A DRIVER escaped serious injury after his car ploughed into the side of a house as he tried to avoid an unlit skip.

The man, who has not been named, swerved off the road, in Copeland Road, West Auckland, to avoid the skip, which was on the main road.

The accident has prompted calls from police for people to be more aware when siting skips.

Inspector Martin Peace, of Bishop Auckland police, said: "The man was very lucky not to be badly injured and traffic police are investigating the accident.

"We would like to reiterate to people that skips should be lit and signed as well, and where possible, should be parked off the road.''

House owner Suzanne Foster, 25, said that she had called police that same night to voice her concerns about the skip.

She said: "I had only reported it about an hour before to say I was concerned that there could be an accident.

"I didn't think that it would end up being at my house. I was upstairs when I heard a bang and I thought that something had been dropped downstairs.

"Then my husband shouted upstairs and said that there was a car under our front window.''

Mrs Foster is now waiting to have the damage assessed, fearing it may have caused structural damage.

She said: "I am just happy that nobody was seriously hurt. It could have been a lot worse, especially if someone had been walking on the footpath.''

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 8.30pm on Friday. Anyone with information is asked to call (01388) 762011.