A PENSIONER told of her shock today after a taxi crashed through the front of her Southampton home.

Kathleen Orton was out when the dramatic crash happened in Malmesbury Road, Shirley, yesterday morning.

The 85-year-old returned to find her front wall in pieces - and a gaping hole where her lounge wall was.

Great-grandmother Mrs Orton, who has lived in the property since 1948, said: "I came back about 2pm and it was all down.

"I wondered what on earth had happened. I got on the phone to my daughter and granddaughter.

"I was shocked at first but I am a bit better now. It was lucky I wasn't home at the time. A couple of my neighbours have come to check on me, which was kind."

The force of the impact shattered Mrs Orton's lounge wall and window, as well as sending photo frames crashing to the ground.

The drama unfolded at 11.15am when it is thought a taxi careered through the garden wall and into the front of the end-of-terrace property after colliding with a car near to the junction with Charlton Road.

Remarkably no one was injured as a result of the accident. Taxi driver Robert Allen walked away unharmed.

Mr Allen, 57, of Radio Taxis, said: "How do you feel when something like this happens? I was shaken up but luckily I opened the door and got out.

"My main concern is for the lady who lives there."

Traffic police were on the scene moments after the collision and questioned Mr Allen along with the driver of a Ford Focus.

A police officer at the scene said: "All we know is a car pulled out at the crossroads, hit the taxi and sent the taxi through the brick wall."

The damage was later assessed by a council engineer who said the house was structurally safe, and the taxi was removed.

Last night, urgent repairs were still being carried out to make Mrs Orton's home secure.