A MOTORIST was scalped when the roof of her car was ripped off in a crash - but she survived.

The accident happened in Bury Road, Haslingden, at 9.45pm on Monday. Police said Claire Goodwin, from Haslingden, lost control of her Ford Puma, crashing into four vehicles before hitting the house.

The roof of her car was ripped off in the smash and police said the woman could have been decapitated in the impact.

She lost the hair and the skin on the top of her head, police said.

No other drivers were involved in the incident.

Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene and the road was blocked for about 45 minutes.

Officers said the woman was conscious throughout and was taken to Fairfield Hospital, Bury, for treatment. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

A Citroen C3, a Daewoo Matiz and a Suzuki Carrie van were also damaged in the smash. The house suffered no structural damage, police said.

An investigation has been launched by officers into the crash.

Inspector Richard Clare of Pennine Police said officers would be interviewing the driver about the incident.

He said: "The woman has crashed into parked cars and then a house.

"It has taken the roof off and has scalped off the top of her head which was effectively the hair and skin on the top of her head.

"Initially it was thought it could have decapitated her.

"The injury was not as serious as it sounds. It would look pretty horrendous when it happened but once it is cleaned up it would be back to normal."