Structural engineers were today returning to an historic Shropshire cottage which was severely damaged after a cement mixer lorry smashed into it.

Despite the damage to the at Longdon on Tern, near Telford, owner Douglas Buttery moved back in to the 300-year-old building last night and pledged today it was business as usual.

The 67-year-old watched in horror as he arrived home from a shopping trip in Wellington just seconds after the collision yesterday, which left the lorry on its side with cement pouring out onto the road.

The B5603 was closed off for more than nine hours for the area to be cleared and a crane arrived to remove the lorry at around 5pm.

He said: “The front of the house is a dreadful mess, there is rubble and debris everywhere and I have been told I can’t go in there.

“It is being propped up by scaffolding, which is comforting, but there is nothing wrong with the back of the house and I was determined to get back in there.

“It’s a bit cold because I still have no heating and my phone lines are down, but I feel a lot better after a good night’s sleep and I am determined to carry on about my business as normal today.”

Mr Buttery said engineers were due on site again this morning to continue assessing the safety and stability of the front of the house, and have arranged to meet with him on Monday to discuss the next steps.

Calls were also today made for traffic calming measures on the lane.