Merseyside Mansion Struck by Lightning

One of the busiest roads in west Wirral was closed after a lightning bolt struck a luxury Hoylake home.

Thankfully the huge house, on Meols Drive, was unoccupied during the storm, for anyone inside would have been in serious trouble.

Four fire engines and a helicopter were deployed when the emergency call came in at 1am.

The strong winds fanned the flames and it took firefighters three hours to get the blaze under control - and the aftermath is clear to see.

The detached house, which is just yards from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, suffered severe damage - which will be a shock to the owners, who were in the process of having it refubished.