A MOTHER of three from Neston had a lucky escape after being involved in a head-on crash with a suspected stolen car.

Christine Palmer, 57, from Neston was returning home after a trip to the supermarket on Saturday and the next thing she knew she woke up in hospital.

Speaking to the Chippenham News, she said: "I have got a slight memory of a grey car pulling out and a flash and then I remember pretty much nothing until I woke up in a hospital gown."

Mrs Palmer had left Sainsbury's supermarket in Chippenham after doing her shopping and was travelling along the A4 at Chequers Hill just before 2pm when her Peugeot estate was in a head-on collision with a blue Ford Orion.

The Ford had earlier been reported stolen from the Bristol area.

The driver, a 34-year-old man from Bristol, suffered a broken femur as well as head and neck injuries.

He was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where he underwent an operation on his leg. He is expected to remain in hospital for at least two weeks.

Both of the drivers had to be cut out of the wreckage of the cars and Mrs Palmer was trapped for nearly an hour.

After being freed by the fire brigade she was airlifted to the RUH with leg and suspected spinal injuries.

X-rays later revealed she had not suffered any spinal injuries but had broken her leg and suffered a lot of bruising.

She said: "I feel lucky really. I am plum coloured all over. I could have died if I hadn't been in such a safe car. My airbag worked and I had my seatbelt on.

"I still feel a bit wobbly about it but I know it could have been a lot worse."

Mrs Palmer's husband, Keith, 59, was on his way home from visiting family shortly after the accident happened and was diverted around the scene.

He got home to find the police waiting for him and he and the couple's two sons, Christopher, 24, Lewis, 28, and daughter Helen Earle, 26, quickly travelled to be at her side.

The A4 was closed and diversions set up from the Cross Keys pub in Corsham. The road was not re-opened until shortly before 6pm.

Mrs Palmer said: "Everyone has been telling me how much trouble it was because the road was closed. I don't remember it at all. Everyone was really great and took good care of me."