A mother had an amazing escape when a car smashed through the front of her home.

Lisa Henley, 37, narrowly escaped with her life when the vehicle careered into the living room of her £100,000 bungalow.

Police and firefighters raced to the scene in East Wittering, near Chichester, after neighbours rang 999.

Paramedics found Lisa, a former carer, had escaped with minor cuts to her left leg despite being on the phone in the room when the car came hurtling in.

The mother of two said: "I saw the front of the car and rubble falling everywhere.

"I just ran out of the house. It was a good job I did because otherwise I would have been under it. The whole car was in the lounge and the engine was running. A neighbour turned it off."

Divorced Mrs Henley, who has two children aged 17 and 11, said: "I know I am very lucky to be alive. I had a lucky escape."

She is staying with a neighbour until an inspection establishes if her home is safe to return to.

Neighbour Pamela Sparrow, 61, said: "I was watching a movie when I heard a noise. I thought there was someone out there with the wheelie bins.

"I put the light on, looked out and saw a car go straight at the window.

"I thought, 'I don't believe what I'm seeing. This happens in the movies'."

A West Sussex Fire Brigade heavy rescue tender hauled the car from the house after Sunday's incident.

Driver Leon Marshall appeared before Chichester magistrates yesterday accused of criminal damage recklessly endangering life, aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol, driving without insurance and without a licence.

He was remanded in custody to appear later this month at Chichester Crown Court.