A family whose holiday plans were in ruins when their car was in collision with a police patrol on a 999 call, will go away after all, thanks to the Oxford Mail and a car-hire company.

The Holmes family were devastated when their Austin Montego was badly damaged in the crash in Headington, Oxford.

The family in their free car

But hire company Eurodrive has offered them free use of a car after director Joy Rendell read about their plight in the Mail.

Richard Holmes, 39, was waiting to turn right in London Road, Headington, where the family lives, when a police car on a 999 call overtook and collided with the front of his vehicle.

He and wife Louise had been hoping to take their five children to Pontins, near Weston-super-Mare, next month but feared their car would not be repaired in time. Their children are Leah, seven, Connor, five, Lucie, three, 14-month-old Mitchell and two-week-old Tommy.

Mrs Rendell stepped in and offered a Renault Espace people carrier for their holiday free of charge. The family accepted gratefully.

Mrs Holmes, 31, said: "It's such a relief to know we'll have a car. We wanted this holiday for the children and I just want to thank Eurodrive for making their dream come true."

Mrs Rendell said: "When we read the story and saw they wouldn't be able to go away we just couldn't stand aside and do nothing."

Police are investigating the accident on June 4.