A family was left with three broken windows after a council dustcart blew a tyre outside their home.

The incident happened as the lorry was collecting refuse in Hawthorne Road, Corringham, where Natalie Phillips lives with her husband Kevin and their two children.

Mrs Phillips said: "I heard a tremendous explosion and my neighbours and I ran outside to see what it was. I didn't realise until later that it had broken three of my windows.

"I can only assume bits of the tyre were shot at my home. It is lucky no one was injured.

"Someone could have been walking by and the dustmen are often running to and fro by the side of the lorry."

A spokesman for Thurrock Council said: "Mr Phillips was advised to put the matter in writing so it could be considered by our motor insurers or to contact his own home insurers to deal with the matter for him."

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002