Two teenagers were taken to hospital suffering from shock after a bolt of lightning struck a Selsdon recreation ground.

The boys were playing football in the park with friends at around 7.30pm last Thursday when there was a crack of thunder and a flash of lightning followed by torrential rain.

Greville Avenue resident Richard James, who lives next to the park, heard a loud bang and ran out of the house thinking there had been an explosion.

He said: "Two of the boys were lying on the ground.

"It could have been really nasty."

Two boys were taken to Mayday Hospital for a check up. One was complaining of pain in his ear and the other was suffering from a headache.

A third boy was seen by a paramedic after saying he felt weak and nauseous.