STORM damage claims spiralled by 158% in January compared to the same month last year.

Barclays Insurance said £300million worth of damage was caused by flooding, tornados and heavy snow.

The average home insurance claim during the period was more than £500.

Mark Till, marketing director for Barclays Insurance, said: "The weather is always a favourite topic of conversation for us Brits but the extremes we have experienced in the last two months have kept everyone on their toes."