A LACK of street lights in Hanbury is being partially blamed for a crash which almost demolished a cottage, though the parish council says there hasn't been a request for any.

John Bannister, 79, a former ITV weather frontman who has lived in the cottage in Hanbury Road for 20 years, said there are no lights at all at night in the village.

"It's pitch dark at night. The parish council has said they have asked residents and the residents don't want them, probably because it would add a few coppers to their council tax," he said.

Mr Bannister and his partner, Eileen Blastland, 77, escaped certain death by only a couple of hours after a Ford Fiesta smashed into the front of the cottage at around 1.40am on Sunday, May 1.

The couple had been watching snooker on the television in the lounge until late.

Mrs Blastland added: "It looks as though the car has been driven really fast - along Hanbury Road - and not made the corner. Three quarters of it was inside the house. I really think street lights are needed here for safety. The roads are a lot busier these days."

But Hanbury parish councillor John Evans, said as far as he knew there had never been a survey asking residents if they wanted street lights.

"I've been on the parish council for 25 years and installing street lights has never been on the agenda. It may well be an issue that residents have discussed among themselves.

"We are, however, very concerned about speed through the village and just six weeks ago we installed a flashing, solar powered 40mph sign at Woolmere Green as you approach the corner where the accident was.

"I think the crash was more to do with excessive speed rather than a lack of street lights. There has been other crashes at that spot in the past but nothing as bad as this. The metal barriers have stopped them before."

Cllr Evans also said that inquiries had been made in the past regarding a 30mph limit, but said that enforcement of a 30mph restriction could only be made if there are street lights.

Police are continuing their inquiries and said a person has come forward identifying themself as the driver of the car.

Inspector Andy Holliday, of West Mercia Police said: "We are continuing our investigations and are following several lines of inquiry. Anyone with information who may have witnessed the crash or seen anyone around at that time is asked to ring us on 101 with incident number 74s of May 1.