A FAMILY escaped serious injury when their car flipped on to its roof thanks to the fact they were all wearing their seatbelts.

A spokesman for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said appliances were sent to the scene at Peth Bank in Lanchester, County Durham, at 8pm last night.

She added: "Two adults and three children were involved in the accident. All were out of the vehicle when firefighters arrived at the scene.

"One person was taken to hospital for precautionary checks."

The CDDFRS tweeted: "Durham & Consett Green Watch went to a serious crash this evening on Peth Bank. The family have been very lucky. Seatbelt save lives!"

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to Peth Bank in Lanchester at 8.05pm. 

"One ambulance was dispatched to the scene. One patient was transported to the University Hospital of North Durham." 

A Durham Police spokesman said the family from the Kendal area, in Cumbria, were travelling in a Honda Jazz when for reasons yet to be established the car lost control.

Damage was caused to the securing line of an electric pole.