Teenager Ciaran O'Shea got a wake up call with a difference today when a car ploughed through a concrete post and into his parents' garage.

The 17-year-old leapt out of bed when he heard a screech and a loud crash directly outside the house in Kings Road, Westcliff, shortly after 6am.

A quick look out of the window revealed the tail end of a top-of-the-range red BMW sticking out the near demolished garage.

Police were immediately called to the house and firefighters were alerted in case they needed to cut the two occupants from the car.

Ciaran said: "I was fast asleep when I heard this horrific noise.

"I remember a big screech and then a loud smash. I didn't have a clue what was going on."

The family were today counting the cost of the smash which has structurally destroyed the garage.

Joists put in position by the fire service are the only thing now holding the building together.

The front doors were splintered into pieces by the car so the family also now face the task of clearing the place out. They are thankful their van wasn't parked where they usually leave it - right outside the garage doors.

Mum Leigh O'Shea said: "I wasn't here at the time but I can't believe what has happened.

"Thankfully no-one was hurt. I could have ended up with two dead people in my garage."

A man was arrested at the scene and taken to Southend police station where he was today helping police with their inquiries.

Wrecked - the scene shortly after a BMW smashed into the O'Shea family's home

(Right) Woken with a bang - Ciaran O'Shea surveys the damage to his parents' garage

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.