Roofs were ripped off houses

Eighteen months ago homes were wrecked and trees uprooted when 130mph winds whipped through Kings Heath, Moseley, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath.

At least 420 homes were hit - 122 had serious roof damage and 80 suffered dangerous structural damage.

Many residents had to find other places to stay - all have now returned but some were away for more than a year.

Two streets took the full force of the storm.

Almost every roof in Birchwood Road was ripped off and part of adjoining Alder Road was still closed 12 months later.

Alder Road did not fully reopen for more than a year

The exact cost of repairs has been hard to calculate, but Birmingham City Council said it was looking at a �260m 10-year regeneration programme as a result of the tornado.

However, the government was accused of being too slow in its response to the council's request for financial aid.

Some residents accused the council of focusing too much assistance on the city's balti-belt - any area of restaurants - which was badly damaged.

Many people, facing insurance problems, coped by forming their own associations.

Derek Inman, who formed one such association, said he and other residents collected money and items such as soft furnishings from local businesses and charities for up to eight months after the tornado.