The small funnel cloud was spotted in Spalding, Lincolnshire
© SWNSThe small funnel cloud was spotted in Spalding, Lincolnshire
This is the dramatic moment a mini TORNADO was spotted sweeping its way through the British countryside.

The twister, which stretched hundreds of metres in the air, was captured on camera by shocked locals in the sleepy market town of Spalding, Lincs.

Shocking footage shows it moving across fields and roads, sucking up debris as it tore through the countryside on Wednesday.

The unusual weather phenomenon - more commonly spotted in areas of North America - is the latest erratic weather event to be seen in Britain this spring.


There were no reports of any injuries and the twister is not believed to have caused any major damage.

Eyewitness George Power spotted the funnel cloud with his son Freddie as they approached the town from Sutterton, Lincs., along the A16.

George said: "It was my son who noticed it in the sky and asked if it was a twister.

"I looked at it trying to think of an alternative explanation, as twisters aren't really common occurrences around here, but I had to concede that's what it was.

"It was quite eerie and I watched as it slowly dispersed, but not before I had chance to get the camera out."

Mini-twisters are formed when hot air rises quickly through a pocket of cool, low-pressure air which can spin and stretch vertically.

They are usually harmless and short-lived - especially one of this size - but on rare occasions can pose a threat to people and property.

In 2005, a tornado which reached speeds of up 130mph caused £40 million worth of damage when it hit Birmingham and injured 19 people.

And in 2006, a twister wrecked £10 million worth of property in Kensal Green, north London.