In pictures: Birmingham tornado

Wind speeds of up to 130mph uprooted hundreds of trees

Many cars were crushed beneath them

Much of Birmingham fell under darkness for several minutes as the storm hit

Emergency services arrived shortly afterwards

They cordoned off streets after finding homes and businesses wrecked

The tornado ripped off the front of the Iceland food store in Kings Heath

One eye witness described the scene as being reminiscent of a "film set"

The freak winds also affected the Moseley area of the city

Nineteen people were hurt in the storm, three seriously