A GRANNY had a narrow escape after youths lobbed a rock the size of a baking potato through her car window.

Carmel Brady was left shaken after the missile shattered the passenger side window of her red G-Reg Peugeot 309 in Stoneham Lane, Swaythling.

Carmel, 62, later discovered the large stone - which she described as a "mini cannonball" - in the back of her car.

"I was waiting to turn right at the lights when it happened," said Mrs Brady, of Benhams Road, Townhill Park,

"I heard this almighty bang. The glass started to cave in and then smashed into pieces.

"If it had been another few inches along the car, it would have been me that got it. It could have been a lot worse, especially as I often have my grandchildren in the back."

Carmel who has four children and seven grandchildren, found the stone in her car the next morning. Although she had noticed five or six teenagers gathered near the junction, she did not initially realise they had thrown the rock.

"I did see a little group across the road but they are always there so I didn't really take much notice at the time," she said.

"Another motorist saw them running off towards the Flowers estate. They had obviously deliberately aimed at me."

The incident happened near the McDonald's restaurant. Police want to hear from anyone who saw what happened or noticed a group of youths in hooded tops hanging around, one of whom was tall and wearing a black top and grey jogging bottoms. A police spokesman said: "We believe the lads ran off towards Honeysuckle Road. Anyone with information is urged to call Portswood police on 0845 045 4545 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.