A FAMILY had a lucky escape when this oak tree fell on to their driveway, narrowly missing their house and van, during gale force winds.

Kieron Hilton, his girlfriend Lesley Hayden and children Gemma and Caine watched in horror as 70mph winds swept through Bolton yesterday knocking over a tree, sending it crashing just feet away from their home. Kieron, aged 30, of Broad Walk, Westhoughton said: "The tree actually used to stand on the other side of the road. The wind knocked it over and it ended up lying across the road and on our driveway."

The tree damaged garden hedges and the family was warned by the emergency services to leave their home for a few hours -- because a second oak tree looked like it might also fall in the storm.

Lesley, aged 30, said: "It was terrifying."

At about midday yesterday parts of Higher Swan Lane, Daubhill, were closed by police when the wind sent window glass flying out of a derelict mill.

At one point an entire window was blown out, putting any passing pedestrians or motorists at risk.

No-one was injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, a tree was blown down in Chorley New Road and landed on top of an unoccupied car.