Three terraced homes had to be evacuated last night as winds sent a large tree crashing down onto the properties.

The incident happened in Stanley Road, Cheriton as winds with gusts of up to 50mph battered the Kent coast.

The tree came down shortly after 9pm and fell diagonally, blocking the doorways of two homes.

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Neighbours told KentOnline that a couple were walking up the road towards Cheriton High Street when they heard a loud bang behind them.

On safety grounds firefighters who attended the incident advised the occupants to spend the night with friends or family.

Neighbours helped to move the debris so that a woman could get out.

It is understood that she is staying with her daughter who lives in Folkestone.

Firefighters remained at the scene for an hour and 30 minutes.

Folkestone fire station watch manager Giles Parker said: "It was more a problem with the tree than the weather.

"Most of the people could get out but one lady couldn't so we cut the branches back and we made sure they all had somewhere safe to stay for the night.

"The position of the tree was leaning against the houses and we weren't happy with them staying."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the scene at around 9pm to reports that the 30ft tall tree had fallen onto three homes and a car, also bringing three telephone cables down as it fell.

Firefighters cut away branches to allow the residents to leave their homes before handing the scene back to Kent Highways.

Contractors worked overnight and into this morning to cut the tree away from the homes.

A new Kia Rio, parked on the driveway of one of the houses, was damaged when part of the tree slammed against its roof.

Neighbours have been out this morning trying to clear the remaining logs that are blocking the pathway between the two houses.

Elsewhere, ice this morning caused a crash on the M20.

At 7am firefighters were called to the motorway to reports that a car had lost control and spun on the icy surface.

It happened about a mile away from junction 10, London-bound. A man in his 20s escaped unharmed but was "shaken up".

The car had mounted the verge and the rear of the Renault had hit a tree.

Watch manager Giles Parker said: "He was a lucky lad that it hit the rear. Firefighters remained at the scene for 20 minutes to make the area safe."