Wirral house roof damaged in tree fall

A house has been badly damaged by a tree uprooted in gale force winds on Thursday night.

The tree was toppled in the front garden of the semi-detached house on Cross Lane in Bebington, Wirral, and crashed into the roof of the property at about 2300 GMT.

The owner of the house was not in at the time and no-one was injured.

The tree is expected to be lifted away by a crane.

Shocking event

Neighbour Denis Spall said: "It was shocking, it gave my wife a fright, it was quite scary."

Residents say the tree is one of several in the area to have fallen in high winds over the past few years.

Sgt Craig O'Brien said the room where the tree hit was where the owner's granddaughter usually stays.

"I wouldn't care to imagine what would have happened to the occupant of the house if they had been there at the time," he said.

A structural engineer will have to decide if the house is safe to enter.