A LORRY driver fled the scene of an accident after ploughing through a family's garden wall.

Mother-of-six Danielle Welsh was in her living room while her 18-year-old daughter lay asleep upstairs when they were woken by the noise.

But seconds after the smash, the driver left the scene in his heavy-goods vehicle.

Mrs Welsh described her horror at the incident and said she broke down in tears afterwards, thankful that her children were not harmed.

Mrs Welsh said: "Thank God my younger children were at school, they would have been killed.

"I just can't think what would have happened if my children or grandchildren were playing in the garden. I'm absolutely devastated, I'm still shaking."

The wall of the family home in South Shields, South Tyneside, is expected to cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Police are investigating and are appealing for help in tracing the driver of the lorry.

The accident happened at about 12.40pm on Friday.