THERE was a lucky escape at Kelly College this week, when Sunday night's gales brought a large tree down in the school grounds.

The tree hit a corner of Parkwood House at Kelly Adventure Centre — but a mini bus was not so lucky and took the full force of the falling tree. The windscreen was smashed and the roof caved in.

Adventure Centre business manager Paul Burchill said: 'I was down there on Sunday night at 7pm and everything was fine, and I got down there at 7am next morning and the van was under the tree.

'The tree actually clipped the corner of the house but luckily I don't think it's done any structural damage.'

Paul said an insurance assessor was expected imminently but he suspected the minibus would probably have to be written off.

The incident also posed logistical problem for adventure centre staff.

'It was remarkable — we were due to leave for the Peak District at 7am that morning — I saw the bus and thought "How are we going to get them up there now?"' said Paul, who added that the half dozen trip participants got away safely once alternative transport was organised.

The strong winds causes damage to several other properties in the area.

A branch fell from a tree and went through a roof at a property in Yelverton on Monday.

A fire crew from Yelverton was sent to remove the branch from the roof at Briar Tor, and used a triple extension ladder, safety at height equipment, roof ladder and small tools to remove the branch and make the area safe.

Tavistock firefighters were called to remove a sign that was hanging precariously over a pavement at the Old Police Station Café in Tavistock Road, Princetown on Monday.

The crew used a triple extension ladder and small tools to remove the large metal sign from the side of the property.