A couple have described how their "whole house shook" after a tree crashed through the roof of their home during Storm Ciara.
Marjorie and John Lowrie were relaxing in bed when the huge tree fell onto their home in Willington, Derbyshire at around 7am.
The falling tree caused severe damage to one side of the roof, as well as to one of the rooms inside the home, reports Derbyshire Live.
A gaping hole has been left in the ceiling of the house, which has been patched up with a tarpaulin until it can be fixed properly.
The tree, which the couple say was rotten, split in half when an enormous gust of wind caused it to topple directly into right-hand side of the house.
Mrs Lowrie said: "We were in bed when it happened. I was on the iPad reading the news. I never thought we would become the local news.
"There was just this big, roaring crash. The whole house shook from the impact.
"We leapt out of bed, wondering what had happened. I went outside and then saw the tree and how it had hit the roof. I just shouted John to come and see. He just couldn't believe it, all the damage and that.
"Luckily, we don't really use that room and nobody was inside. We're very lucky in that sense. At least neither of us were hurt."
The couple spent most of Sunday on the phone to insurance companies and trying to find people who can help clear the mess.
Handyman Paul Mclaughlin and Garden Services and Tree Surgery Ltd, based in Burton, were enlisted to help remove the tree and secure the house as much as possible.
A lime tree at the front of the house was also cut down, out of fear that could also topple over.
"I don't know where we'd be without them," said Mrs Lowrie.
"They've been such a help and we are so thankful. It's been horrible weather and we have been worried about all this rain getting in and going down into the rooms before or rotting the floorboards.
"It's going to be months before everything is back to normal. I'm just glad the house isn't listed, otherwise it would be so much harder.
"People have been very helpful and we've had a lot of neighbours and friends offering to help, but there's not a lot anyone can really do.
"And then there's been the people rubbernecking as they drive past, or stopping to take a photo. This is our house, and we are having to deal with this."
Mrs Lowrie and her husband have lived in the house for 23 years and said nothing like this had happened before despite a few branches coming off nearby trees.
Sunday's incident has left the couple worried about what could happen next, with Mrs Lowrie saying she is now paranoid that something else could fall onto the house.
She said: "Now every time I hear a noise, I think it's going again. At one point, I thought it was all going to collapse on me.
"I wouldn't wish this on anybody."
