RESIDENTS have described their horror after a car crash sent a brick flying into their home.

Families are counting themselves lucky after a Ford Fiesta crashed into a garden wall in Church Road, Burnham before ploughing into a hedge.

The force of the incident caused bricks from the wall to fly in all directions, with one smashing through the front window of Matthew Smith's home.

Mr Smith, who was in the room when the debris smashed through, was left deeply shaken but unharmed.

His wife, Rebecca Smith, said she was thankful their two boys, aged seven and nine, were not there at the time.

She said: “The glass has completely shattered.

“One of our cars was parked right in front of the window and didn’t even get a scratch, the brick must have flown high over the hedge.

“The front room is full of Lego as our two boys normally like playing on the floor in there, but thankfully they were in bed when it happened and slept through the whole thing.

“If they had been on the floor when it hit, I dread to think what could have happened.

“I’m just thankful that no one has been injured even though it was such a serious crash.”

Essex Police and the ambulance service attended the scene shortly after 9.15pm last Tuesday.

An ambulance spokesman said no-one required treatment.

The car, which was written off, was removed by 11pm.

Unemployed Michael Smith, 46, of Glendale Road, Burnham, was arrested and charged with failing to stop after a road traffic accident and driving without due care and attention.

Smith, who is no relation to Matthew and Rebecca Smith, was bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on May 23.