A garage owner has been left counting the cost after the side of a neighbouring house collapsed onto his business in the storms.

Aran Emson said it was a miracle no-one was injured in the incident in Cross Street, Maidstone, which happened at just after 10pm on Friday.

The gable of the property next door came crashing down into the workshop of the VW Audi specialist business, leaving rubble and dust covering everything.

Owner Mr Emson said: "We had left the building at 6 o'clock, and this happened at 10 o'clock. We were lucky no-one was killed.

"There are usually about four cars in here, it's really lucky there weren't on Friday night."

Mr Emson said some £50,000 worth of specialist tools had also been ruined.

"It could be months before we are able to open again," he said.

Tenants from the house have been rehoused elsewhere and the gable has been stabilised by engineers.