FIREFIGHTERS in Wiltshire dealt with more than 100 calls for help on Saturday as torrential rain and thunderstorms swept the county.

Homes were struck by lightning and properties in Sherston and Brinkworth were hit by flash flooding.

Although members of the Fire Brigades Union were on strike between 11am and 1pm but the service said response to the storm was not affected because most of the 30 storm-related calls were before or after the walkout.

Area manager John Popowicz said: “This was an extraordinary storm which caused a great deal of surface water in a very short space of time. I would give particular praise to our control room staff, who handled a significant number of calls and also ensured that we maintained resources across the county.”

There were seven call outs to homes in Wiltshire that were struck by lightning during the storm, resulting in three small fires, electrical sockets blown off walls, destroyed satellite dishes and damaged internet equipment.