A BLACKBURN couple thought there had been an “earthquake” when a hit-and-run driver ploughed into their home in the early hours.

David Coker and Anne-Marie Tolley were left with a gaping hole beside their front door after a silver Vauxhall Corsa, smashed into their end terrace house.

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The driver, who was able to walk away from the crash, fled the scene of the incident which happened at 5am yesterday at the corner of Livesey Branch Road and Langho Street.

Ms Tolley said she was glad the driver walked away from the wreckage even though the couple had been left with a potential repair bill totalling hundreds of pound for the damage.

The 60-year-old carer said: “I’m happy that he was ok enough to walk away, but I’m still mad at him.”

She was first alerted when the couple, who were asleep, heard a sudden thud outside.

But they did not realise the extent of the impact until they went downstairs moments later. Brickwork behind the front door had been knocked clear and was left strewn across the pavement and road.

Builder Mr Coker, 59, said: “It looks like he must have been coming too fast down the road and lost control.

“When we got hit it was like an earthquake, with large pieces of masonry everywhere.

“We work 10 hours a day and have been slowly renovating the house.”

The vehicle is understood to have ended up a short distance along Langho Street and the aftermath was captured on CCTV from a nearby house.

The couple first acquired the corner property, a former hardware shop, 18 years ago and have been transforming the house room by room. They moved into their home two years ago.

Ms Tolley said: “The house is more than 100-years-old and has seen a lot.

“The council has been around to prop up the wall but we need to cover up the hole now.

“We think that the driver may have misjudged it because the kerb outside the house is quite high and deceptive.”

Don Brady, a crew manager at Blackburn fire station, said firefighters were called to the scene to ensure the damaged Corsa and the property were safe for the householders and passers-by.

“The council’s building inspectors were also informed to assess the structural safety of the building,” he said.

Last night a police spokesman said that the driver of the Corsa was still being sought.

One passerby, John Millar, 43, of Mill Hill, said: “The car has left a heck of a mess.

“I’m just glad that no-one was badly hurt. Cars come down here at all speeds and it’s scary.”