A RUBERY man had a lucky escape when he who got out of a car just minutes before a heavy concrete lamp-post crashed on top of it.

Peter Smith, of Callowbrook Road, had not long moved his wife's Rover Sterling out of their garage and on to the road last Friday morning, when the lamp-post toppled.

It fell across the vehicle crushing the boot and smashing the back window.

It may now have to be an insurance write-off.

Police and a county council officer were at the scene as a crane was brought in to move the lamp-post.

Maureen, Peter's wife said she couldn't believe what had happened and claimed the post was old and rusty.

She said: "You could see how old the rods in the post were.

"It was clear the lamppost had collapsed because it was weak, it had almost snapped in half.

She added: "The whole thing is an inconvenience, but that is nothing compared to what could have happened if someone had been walking or driving past.

"My husband or my grandchildren could have been in the car, it just doesn't bear thinking about," added Mrs Smith.

Commenting later, a county council spokesman said: "We are highly relieved no one has been hurt.

"It would appear at first glance that the wind has played a part in this incident, but there will need to be a full investigation before any conclusions can be drawn.

"An officer attended the scene soon after it happened and collected evidence, while our insurance department has been in conversation with Mrs Smith on two occasions already today."