A CARLISLE couple have been left shocked and devastated after a car crashed into their bedroom - forcing them to leave their home.

Residents of Lichen Grove in the Raffles area of the city were left horrified after two fire engines, several police cars and an ambulance attended a crash in their quiet cul-de-sac.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 12pm yesterday, with fire and police quickly cordoning off the bungalow.

One of the tenants of the property, who wished to remain anonymous, described what she experienced.

She said: “I went to make a cuppa and thought it was fireworks. I didn’t see it come through.

“I was shaking, I got [one of my neighbours] to call my husband - I couldn’t do it.”

Her husband was at work and came home as soon as he was alerted.

“It is total devastation; it’s wrecked the house, causing us lots of stress two months out of Christmas,” explained the husband.

“It is a mess, a total mess. The damage is into the bedroom and the hall and has pushed the roof out in the bathroom.”

He was told the damage will take about six months to be fixed.

John Simpson, 62, who has lived in the cul-de-sac for eight years, said: “I can’t understand how the car has ended up in that position without hitting the lamppost.

“It is a shame for them. The bungalow is damaged and they will have to move out.

“I came back from being out and I just wondered how it ended up in that position.”

Laura Simpson, 73, has lived on the road for three years.

She said: “I can’t believe it happened.

“I have been here for three years and I have never seen an accident happen, it’s always very quiet.

“What a shame - you don’t expect that when you are in your living room.”

A spokesman for Cumbria Police confirmed they were called to the scene.

He said: “Police were called to a one-vehicle collision on Lichen Grove, Carlisle, at 11.51am after a Ford Edge was in collision with the wall of a property.

“The driver, a man, 81, was not seriously hurt.”

Sarah Paton, Riverside’s director for the north region, said: “We were very concerned to hear about this accident but relieved that no one was seriously injured, and we hope the driver makes a full recovery.

“Our staff were quickly on site to support those affected and to secure the properties.

“We are speaking to the families to find them suitable accommodation while their homes are being repaired.”