Teenager sent flying by lightning

The magnificent storm could been seen across Dorset In pictures

A teenager was thrown across his bedroom when lightning blasted a huge hole in the roof of his family's house during Thursday's storms.

Samuel Travers was playing a video game as he celebrated his 16th birthday when the bolt struck, setting fire to the house in Poole, Dorset.

The roof was damaged and several rooms on the top floor of the Alcester Road property were also affected.

Samuel was very shaken but unhurt, his mother Jane said.

The family has been put up in a hotel by their insurance company and will be unable to return to the house for eight weeks.

Mrs Travers said her son did not want to talk about his ordeal.

The bolt smashed a huge hole in the roof of the house

"Simon was very shook-up by it. I am just glad the kids are all right," she said.

"At the end of the day it is just property."

Homes in Easton, Portland, Wyke Regis and Weymouth were also affected by lightning, a Dorset Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said.

Weather forecasters are predicting more storms for Dorset on Friday night.