A freak hail storm has left part of Falmouth in Cornwall looking like a winter's scene.


PE teacher Tommy Matthews, 52, of The Gluyas arrived home from work to find an inch of hail covering the street.

Neighbours' garages were flooded and manholes burst as the hail turned into a stream of water.

The hail storm, which left cars sliding on roads, occurred at about 17:00 BST after a Met Office warning of heavy rain in the South West overnight.

'Sky opened up'

"I was walking up the street and it suddenly all went nuts," said Mr Matthews.

"My drive is still covered in hail.

"It went on for about 20 minutes. Just when I thought it was over, it came down harder and harder."

He said the hail was confined to within about a quarter of a mile radius of his home.

Patricia Minson, who lives nearby at Boslowick Road, said: "There was a thunder clap and the sky opened up.

"There were about 10 cars stuck on the hill.

"I've never seen anything like this."