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Tree uprooted by high winds hits derelict church

High winds cause 'absolute carnage' in Kidsgrove

A derelict church in Newcastle-under-Lyme was struck by a tree uprooted by high winds, causing structural damage to the roof.

The tree hit the back of the empty church, on The Avenue in Kidsgrove, due to reported winds of more than 40mph (64kmph) on Thursday.

One person told BBC Radio Stoke that the area smelled like wood and usually "you can't see the skies" due to the high trees in the woodland next to the church.

The area has been cordoned off by highway maintenance, with the road shut to cars.

A woodland with bare, broken and uprooted trees
One local resident said the area smelled like wood the morning after

Local residents described the winds as a "loud tornado" on social media while police said it had reports of 25 trees having been blown down.

The Met Office reported winds of more than 40mph (64kmph) on Thursday evening for Kidsgrove and the surrounding area.

It issued a yellow warning ahead of the approach of Storm Darragh until 03:00 GMT on Friday.

A derelict church building next to a woodland with bare trees, and lots of branches on the ground. The tree has gone into the back of the church, causing damage to red bricks on the roof
Local residents described the winds as a "loud tornado" on social media

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