Pupils had a lucky escape after a runaway car rolled down a hill, across a main road and into the grounds of a school.

The accident happened on the first day back for Homewood School in Tenterden, shortly after 9am this morning.

Paul Woolley sent in a picture of the car which had crashed through a fence after crossing the A28 Ashford Road from nearby Adams Close.

He described it as a “narrow escape” on the first day back. Kentish Express photographer Gary Browne said neighbours believe the car was off the handbrake.

The car rolled down a short distance down the hill, and landed in the school grounds, at the back of the school’s farm area.

He said: “It’s gone across a fast-moving main road, so it was nearly a disaster. It could have hit anything, so it was very lucky that it didn’t. There could have been cars or even children walking to school on the path.”

Homewood School has been contacted for comment.