Tornado damages Suffolk village

A tornado has torn through a Suffolk village, destroying buildings and uprooting trees.

Residents of Great Livermere near Bury St Edmunds described it as like "a bomb coming through" when the force of nature struck at 1630 BST on Monday.

The tornado only lasted between 30 and 40 seconds but ruined local blacksmith Brian Hardman's forge and severely damaged several cars.

Debris is being cleared and work has started on making buildings safe.

Mr Hardman said he had left the forge to make a cup of tea just five minutes before the "freak tornado" ripped across the building.

"There was an almighty roar like a train, which lasted about 20, maybe 25 seconds.

"I came out of the door when it was over and saw that the forge gone.. it had just destroyed the forge, or half of it.

"I was going to go back in there to do some work for the evening.

"It's heartbreaking, but at least no-one was hurt and I wasn't in there."

The Reverend Tony Redman said his 300-year-old house has coped with the elements over the centuries, but its chimney could not withstand the tornado.

The stack fell into the house, causing extensive damage.

The wind also damaged his outbuildings, which until hours earlier had housed pigs.