A FATHER and his three young children had a lucky escape after a car smash in Tilehurst.

The black Vauxhall Zafira he was driving collided with a parked Ford Southern Electric van which then hit a tree and a third car in Mayfair at 6.10pm last night.

More than 30 neighbours came out of their homes after the smash and the congested road was brought to a standstill for two hours.

A Mayfair resident told The Chronicle: β€œIt was horrendous. It was like a bomb going off.”

For the full story and reaction, see next week's Reading Midweek.