A MUM of two has told how a van rolled 30ft down an embankment, crashing into her garden and crushing her children's play equipment.

Maria Cadwallader, of Riverside Court, Woodfield-side, Blackwood, burst into tears when she saw the damage.

She said a Royal Mail van left the lane, known as The Wilderness, crashed through a 4ft fence, and crushed swings that her children would have been playing on had they not been in school.

Mrs Cadwallader, mum of Joe, four, and Sam, six, says she is in no doubt that "it will happen again" and called on the council to install safety barriers.

"The road isn't safe," she said. "It is a public access lane and in the past when the weather has been bad dustcarts using the lane have skidded on the ice.

"The swings were crushed in half by the vehicle and the legs of the garden table were forced through decking from the impact.

"I love living here and don't want to have to move. My husband Mark and I just want our children to be able to play safely in their own garden."

Caerphilly council's cabinet member for highways, Councillor Keith Griffiths, said: "I've listened to the lady's concerns and will be discussing with our highways department the possibility of placing some sort of barrier at the site in the future.

"This is, of course, subject to relevant funding being available, but we will certainly consider it."

Mrs Cadwallader is to meet with her Islwyn MP Don Touhig to discuss the issue.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman confirmed the incident and that no-one had been injured.

Gwent Police were called to the scene but say they are no longer investigating the incident.