A DRIVER was last night recovering after smashing his luxury car through the wall of a south Liverpool mansion.

The 68-year-old crashed his Bentley Continental – which can cost up to £163,000 – through the wall of the sprawling home in Woolton Hill Road, Woolton.

It is understood passers-by rescued him from the car before it was engulfed in flames.

Onlookers said they thought the man’s dog might have jumped from the passenger seat and caused him to put his foot on the wrong pedal.

The driver was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital with suspected spine and leg injuries.

The dog, believed to be a Scottish terrier, was also injured in the crash at 6pm on Monday.

The man’s family, who live nearby, were yesterday too upset to speak, but said the man was discharged from hospital and is now recovering at home.

He is understood to be a company director of a wholesale hairdressing supplies business.

The man’s car smashed through the 6ft sandstone wall surrounding the property, and also took out a lamp-post.

The house sold for £870,000 to a developer two years ago and has since undergone massive renovation, including the installation of a new indoor swimming pool and leisure centre.