A couple escaped disaster by inches when an elm tree crashed into their drive.

The 30ft tree missed Rosemary and Douglas Harrold's front door by 3ft when it was uprooted by a gale.

The tree was one of two on a private road in front of the couple's house off Littlehampton Road, Worthing.

Mrs Harrold said: "We didn't hear a thing. I had a real shock when I pulled my curtains back and saw this huge tree lying in the drive.

"It was just feet from the front door. There was no way we could get in or out. We were very lucky because we normally leave the car in the driveway and if we had it would have been destroyed.

"We are very fortunate not to be hurt. If the tree had been planted a few inches nearer it could have really done some severe damage.

"It is a real shame as it was a beautiful tree and blocked us from the main road. It managed to survive big storms and the major storm in 1987 but I suppose this was too much for it."