A FAMILY said they were lucky to escape after a large tree trunk crashed down on the spot they were parked in just seconds before.

Shezmeen Munshi, along with her husband Azaz Chanda, 26 and son Mousa Chanda, 8, had moved their car a few feet forward just before the tree, standing in Corporation Park, landed on Park East Road, Blackburn.

The 25-year-old said they initially parked on a double yellow lines but moved the car forward to avoid a fine.

The trunk, around 30-feet long, blocked both sides of the road and had caused damage to the park's railings and the adjacent wall.

She said: "I was shaking so badly, I was so scared.

"My son wanted to feed the ducks at Corporation Park so we came down and parked up.

"We realised we had parked on double yellow lines so we moved the car a few feet forward so we didn't get a ticket.

"We went to get out of the car and we heard the loudest crash and saw the tree had fallen down.

"I couldn't believe what I saw, I was so thankful we moved the car, we could have been underneath that.

"I was just thinking about my son and his safety.

"He didn't see the tree fall so he wasn't too upset."

Police and Blackburn with Darwen Council attended to the road and were diverting traffic to other routes.

A police spokesman said: "Thankfully no-one suffered any injuries.

"We advised people to avoid driving down East Park Road as everyone was asked to turn around."

Ms Munshi said: "The tree broke the fence railings and snapped the spiked tops off, there's a few pieces buried in the tree.

"My son started to take the pictures on his iPad.

"I was still shaking for a long time after and couldn't believe what happened.

"I thank god for saving us."

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, who represents the area on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "This is a very worrying incident. Someone could've been killed.

"A tree collapsed in Preston New Road not too long ago and I am concerned about the trees in the area.

"I am going to ask the tree surgeon at the council to conduct a survey on the ones in Corporation Park to make sure there's no further trees that are on the brink of collapse.

"We don't want people to be put off visiting the park or going near the trees.

"I'm so thankful no one was hurt and the family are okay, they had a very lucky escape."

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said the tree would be assessed by experts and removed as quick as possible.

The road was set to remain closed until the tree was removed.