A family had a lucky escape after lightning struck their house sending part of their roof crashing to the ground.

Rebekah Farmer was sitting in her living room when her home in Brooklyn Avenue, South Norwood, was hit by the bolt of lightning during a sudden storm last Thursday.

Tiles crashed to the ground as it tore three holes in the roof and took out the phone line and the electricity supply.

Fortunately the lightning did not start a fire.

Mrs Farmer, 34, said: "There was no mistaking it as the noise was so loud.

"It was a bit frightening and we are now recovering from the shock.

"We're very blessed as it could have been a lot worse, our home could have caught on fire."