A MOTHER-OF-TWO has spoken of horror after high winds tore off part of the gable end of her house - showering the pavement with bricks shortly before she would have been taking her son to school this morning (Friday, January 9).

Victoria Hulley of East View, Seaham, east Durham: “Had it happened an hour later I would have been walking there with my eight-year-old son on his way to school.

“I would also have been pushing my three-week-old son in his pram. We could have been killed or seriously injured.”

Ms Hulley, who rents the house opposite New Seaham Academy, in Byron Terrace, said she was alerted by a loud bang at 7.30am this morning.

“I had no idea was it was,” she said.

“A builder came and told me my gable had blown off. I misheard him and thought he said cable and could not make sense of it.

“When I went out front door to look the street was covered in bricks. I was horrified.

“It’s not just myself who goes past there. An hour later it would have been busy with other children going to school too.

“The is always full of cars parked by people who visit the breakfast club at the school, as well.”

Landlord Tom Lloyd said: “I got a call from Victoria . I was absolutely gutted when I saw the damage.

“The wind has ripped off the outer skin of the top end of the gable. The wind must have been incredibly strong.

“It is really fortunate it happened when it did. Had it been an hour later someone could have been killed or seriously hurt.”

Part of the road was cordoned off by workers from Durham County Council.

Ms Hulley is staying with a friend, while the damage is being assessed.