The landlord of a quiet village pub wants to raise a glass to Royston fire brigade for coming to the rescue after unexpected high winds took regulars by surprise.

The quiet village of Therfield was suddenly swept up in a whirlwind on Saturday afternoon, when an unexpected mini tornado tore across the village green.

Strong winds lifted several umbrellas from the outdoor seating area of The Fox and Duck pub, sending them soaring high into the air and causing a brief but dramatic scene.

Ivan Titmuss, landlord of The Fox and Duck, described the incident: "All the umbrellas went up, some quite high, and it was quite dangerous, but thankfully everyone was OK. One umbrella even landed on our next-door neighbour's roof!

"We had no way of getting it down, so we called the Royston fire brigade, who came promptly to the rescue."

(image via Strand PR)

The firefighters responded swiftly, arriving on the scene and efficiently retrieving the umbrella from the roof. Their prompt action was greatly appreciated by the pub staff and the community.

Ivan said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Royston fire brigade for their quick response and professional handling of the situation.

"Their assistance ensured that what could have been a hazardous incident was resolved safely and smoothly. It's moments like these that remind us of the fantastic support we have in our local emergency services."

No injuries occurred.