A COUPLE were trapped in their home after a huge oak tree was felled by a bolt of lightning.

The 60ft tree snapped after being damaged in a thunderstorm in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It caused large branches to fall onto a black BMW 5 Series and white Landrover Discovery parked outside Sandra and John Hesketh’s home, in Manchester Road, Over Hulton.

Both cars were completely trapped by the tree and anyone getting to the house had to negotiate fallen branches, blocking the driveway.

To add insult to injury, their home insurance will not pay out as they say the fallen tree is an ‘act of God’.

Mrs Hesketh, who is also secretary of the HEART group, said: “I only found out because a guy who’s doing a survey for the Hulton Park Estate knocked on my door at 8am. I’d been up since 7.30 but hadn’t been out the front so I didn’t have a clue.

“I was in complete disbelief.

“One of my neighbour’s has told me that it was such a large crack and he thought it was his house."

“Halifax (the home insurers) said there’s nothing they can do because it’s an act of God.

“I told them I was distressed and in shock but they were so unsympathetic. I couldn’t believe they were so insensitive.”

Due to the obstruction of the branches it is currently difficult to see the full extent of the damage to the cars, although there does appear to be a dent in the back of the BMW and damage to the bonnet of the Landrover.

As well as the distress of both of their cars being damaged, it scuppered Mr and Mrs Hesketh’s plans for the day.

Mrs Hesketh added: “I’ve been ringing around tree surgeons all morning. It’s all very stressful, I just want it sorted.

“I was going to go out to order a gate today and get them to measure up and everything, because there’s been a lot of burglaries round here and we’re getting a bespoke gate made.

“My husband said he’d get the chainsaw out and cut it down himself but he’s ill so he can’t be doing things like that.”

The Bolton News has approached Halifax for comment.