A COUPLE have spoken of their lucky escape after a car crashed into their house.

Anthony and Marcia Smith were watching TV when the VW Golf came crashing through their front window at their home in Rosemount Road, Bishop Auckland, at about 9.15pm on Thursday night.

The couple, both 28, said they were left shocked after the car ploughed through a bollard, stone wall and bush before ending up in their sitting room.

The car did not hit Mr and Mrs Smith, who were sat on the sofa at the time, but completely destroyed their window.

The couple were not injured and said their two young children, along with a school friend, were also unharmed and oblivious to the incident as they slept upstairs. They have now been taken to stay with their grandparents.

It is understood the driver of the car, a man, fled the scene following the crash and was pursued by police officers, who confirmed, are continuing their investigation into the early hours.

Talking about the incident, Mrs Smith said: "It just shook the room and then there was a bang and glass everywhere.

"By the time we got outside he [the driver] was gone."

Mr Smith added: "We are just shocked. We had just got the children settled an hour before."

Mrs Smith praised the response of the police, who were on the scene within minutes.

She said: "The police were spot on and here within minutes. I cannot fault them at all."

The couple, who have rented the house for about two years, also praised their landlord, who also came out straight away.

The window has now been boarded up to make the house secure.