'Mini-tornado' knocks down trees and fences

A "mini-tornado" has brought down trees, removed roof tiles and "terrified" locals after it hit an area of Coventry.

Homeowners rushed to look out of their windows in Finham, after hearing a noise that sounded "like a train coming" at about 18:30 BST on Tuesday.

A tree, estimated to be about 100 ft (30m) in height, fell into four gardens in Beanfield Avenue.

David Powers, who lives in the area, said: "I've never heard anything like it - it was very dramatic."

A number of smaller trees were broken in half during the weather event, Mr Powers said.

"At first I thought it might be thunder but it sounded more like a big train coming," he said.

"It took all the bins - it didn't just blow them over, it threw them into the road.

"It was obviously like a tornado, I assume."

Fencing was blown over in the "mini-tornado" in Finham

The large tree fell in the garden of Curtis Carvell's house, leaving a "massive hole".

"The tree has gone across about four gardens," he said.

"It's not every day you have a tree fall over - it's probably been there for 200 years."

Marian Allder, who called her husband to make sure he was safe after the storm, said the weather was "really localised".

"About 10 ridge tiles came off our roof," she said.

"It was definitely a mini-tornado - it was terrifying."