TWO Southampton pensioners say they are lucky to be alive after a tree smashed through their house.

The tree came within inches of crushing John and Joan Goodey of Dunkirk Road, Lordswood, after crashing through their wall.

Shattered glass and broken debris covered the couples' back garden and their roof and upstairs bedrooms have been seriously damaged.

And now a neighbour has revealed her anger at Southampton City Council, who she says have still not been to their house since the incident happened.

John Goodey had sat down to watch a football match when he heard a "big crash" at around 8.15pm on Thursday, March 7.

One branch came within inches of smashing though the window behind him as he watched the Chelsea game on Thursday night.

The 75-year-old said: "It could have been a lot worse – we have been very very lucky.

"If it wasn't for the garden wall it would have gone straight through the house."

Joan Goodey, 81, who needs full-time care after a serious stroke last July, is bedbound and has to sleep downstairs, otherwise could have been injured.

John and Joan, who have been married for 39 years, have two sons, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild between them.

The tree which is on council land is thought to have fallen over because of a rotten base.

Mr Goodey said: "I had about three hours sleep last night but the fire brigade were brilliant. I think we will have to move out."

Mrs Goodey said: "You have to laugh at it. Either you get on with it or you lay down and die."

Neighbour Kim Harris described seeing an ambulance, fire engine and fire service car on the night.

She said: "I have been here two years and had an ongoing battle with the council. The trees overhang my property."

"Residents have asked the council to do something about the trees and they did nothing."

According to Kim the council said there was nothing wrong with the trees and residents could "prune" them themselves

Miss Harris said: "Fire and rescue and ambulance services attended last night, yet the council still haven't bothered to turn up. It's disgraceful."

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of this incident and are resolving the problem."