GALE force winds were felt across the borough yesterday, bringing down trees, blowing the roof off the Chill Factore and causing a lorry to crash into a car on the M60.


The terrible weather also caused a temporary staircase at a block of flats in Old Trafford to collapse, leaving residents without access to their apartments.


Parts of the top section of the three storey, outdoor staircase, also fell onto two cars parked in the car park, causing a significant amount of damage to both vehicles.


No one was injured and all residents are being re-housed today.


Numerous people were also stranded inside Chill Factore after parts of its roof were blown off in the storm, the third time the indoor ski centre has been affected by high winds in recent months.


The attraction was forced to close early on the grounds of health and safety and people were allowed to leave as part of a phased evacuation at around 8pm.


Jordan Hart tweeted at 7.40pm: “Evacuated and currently stuck in chill factore because the roof fell off.”


Joe Sandbach tweeted at 8,30pm: "Finally been freed from the Chill Factore after been escorted out by 2 police officers and a firefighter! #keen #safetyfirst.”
 

Motorway police also closed several sections of motorway, including the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6, near Knutsford, which caused huge delays on A556 in Altrincham.


Barton Bridge was also closed between 6pm and 12am after a lorry was blown over onto a car, no one was injured in the incident.


In Old Trafford, a 50 foot tree was also ripped out of the ground and fell onto a house, trapping residents inside.


According to reader Shaam Singh, emergency services arrived quickly on the scene to help the residents and no one was seriously injured.


Mr Singh added: “Phone lines are dangling in the middle of the road. Cars passing by are warned away to avoid possible electric shock from them until the morning.”


Numerous trees have been blown down across the borough, including on Belmont Road, in Hale, Halecroft Park, in Hale Barns, Moss Lane Timperley and, Mayfair Court, Timperley.


Keep your pictures and updates coming in to sam.editorial@messengergrp.co.uk.