Storm Gerrit: Tornado-hit residents counting cost of repairs

Families hit by the tornado that ripped through two villages in Greater Manchester are still counting the cost of the damage - with some saying insurance claims are being turned down.

The winds caused chaos in Millbrook and Carrbrook near Stalybridge on 27 December.

It saw trees and walls collapse and roof tiles swept off houses.

Many firms have agreed to pay out but some have refused, as others wait to see the true extent of the damage.

Many homes in the area now have scaffolding on the outside as a huge clean-up continues.

Brian Gilroy, of Besom Lane, Millbrook, lost a chimney pot, fence panels and garden ornaments.

He said: "I was in bed and all of a sudden I felt the windows shaking. The wind was howling. We knew it was serious.

"The fence panels at the back of the garden have all come down - but the home insurance will not pay out on anything like that because its an act of God.

"It'll cost us £200 or £300 to replace."

Mr Gilroy lives in a rented property belonging to the Jigsaw Homes housing association.

"The structure of the house has got to be assessed," he said.

"We've lost roof tiles and the chimney pot. They're very good when you talk to them. There are nearby homes which are more seriously damaged."

Joyce Bromley has kept horses at Hill Top Farm for 35 years.

The tornado blew off a roof from a barn and blew away a wooden stable block while the horses were still inside.

She said: "It still feels like a dream. You walk outside and you see the destruction. There's still a lot of debris. It's going to be quite some time before it's back to how it was."

Ms Bromley said she had already been able to claim for some of the damage.

"We've got our own insurance on some of the outside buildings and our insurance company have been fabulous with us.

"We phoned them at eight o'clock that morning. They had somebody here at 10:00 and they agreed to replace the buildings at 11:00."

Despite that, she said there could be significant costs if other insurance claims are not paid.

She said: "If we lose the stables which were within the stone barn, that would be £1,200 per month.

"We're hoping it doesn't come to that but it is possible. Retrieving that kind of cost is not easy."

A spokesman for Tameside Council said: "If residents are having difficulties with their insurers they can contact the council and their local MP to see if we can offer any further advice or assistance.

"The local Citizens Advice Bureau is also expert at advising on insurance contracts."

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