Tree falls onto clubhouse at popular Hemel Hempstead tennis club in strong winds

Penny Boyes and her husband, who live opposite the tennis club, thought the loud noise they heard was their bin being knocked down in the strong winds.

She said: "It happened yesterday afternoon, we were in the front room when we heard a thud, I thought it was the bin falling.

"We went to see what it was but couldn't see anything so we sat back down and then heard another big thud and my neighbour's daughter knocked on our door and said to come and see what had happened.

"We were shocked to see that the huge old tree in the alleyway next to the club had fallen directly onto the clubhouse, ruining the roof and blocking some of the car park entrance and courts.

"One of the neighbours contacted someone from the club and they came straight down and made it as safe as possible, they're out again today.

"It's quite lucky really, it could have been a lot worse if more people had been out and about.

"It shows what the wind can do."