A man miraculously escaped serious injury when his van struck a tree and overturned in the woods near Lydbrook.

The man was travelling down the A4136 towards the Mireystock Crossroads when his car left the road and ploughed sideways through the undergrowth before striking a tree and ending up on its side.

Fire crews from Coleford and Cinderford were called to the scene and a rescue appliance was sent from Gloucester in order to free the man from the crumpled silver Vauxhall Astra van.

The man was taken by ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with minor injuries.

The police closed one lane of the road at around 5.20pm on Wednesday while the rescue was taking place.