HIGH winds sent a tree crashing into a rural home.

Firefighters were called to Orchard Lane in Hassocks on Saturday after the tree fell.

Crews from the technical rescue team were sent to the scene, and spent around two hours setting up equipment ready to remove the tree.

Once in place, it took the crews a further half four to remove the tree.

Crews used winches to heave the tree off the roof, and chainsaws to remove troublesome branches.

A spokesman for the fire service said crews were called shortly before 10am on Saturday.

They said: “Our technical rescue team used a specialist Unimog vehicle. They were able to remove the tree without causing damage to the house.

“The tree was cut down to the floor and removed. There were no reported injuries.”

Crews were finally able to leave the scene after 2pm.

Forecasters say winds are expected to die down this week, but temperatures will turn colder.