A mini tornado ripped through a town with residents describing it as ‘like something out of a Hollywood movie”.

Homeowners desperately dialled 999 as trampolines were seen flying through the air and roof tiles crashed through windows.

Emergency services in Bognor closed Linden Road, Hawthorn Road and Durban Road after the first reports of a tornado came in to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service at 9.30am Friday.

Crews attended the scene where damage had been caused to dozens of homes.

The swirling wind and rain was spotted moving down Marshall Avenue and Highland Avenue before witnesses say it moved out to sea.

Suzanne Power, who lives in Linden Road, said: “My parents, who were at home at the time, said there had been torrential rain, then the rain stopped and very strong winds came.

“Then they started to hear these almighty bangs and could see roof tiles flying across the road and smashing through windows.

“The road was completely cordoned off, fences were ripped down and there was debris in the street.”Emma McGuigan, 40, of Highland Avenue, saw the trampoline at the back of her house blow into a neighbour’s garden.She said: "It was like something out of a Hollywood movie."I saw the tornado move through the street and then it just picked up the 14ft trampoline and lifted it over the fence. "My first thought was what happens if somebody is in the garden next door."Fortunately there was nobody there at the time otherwise it could have been really nasty. "Roof tiles and fences were also taken up by the high winds."I still have no idea how I am going to get it back."

On Twitter some people posted that they were travelling to the town to ‘chase’ the tornado.A fire service spokeswoman said: “Houses in Linden Road, Dorset Road, Highland Avenue and Murina Avenue were all inspected.”

Crews started to leave the area at 2pm and no one was injured.