A mile-long tornado swept through Aldershot on Friday, damaging buildings and downing trees.

According to the local council, the extreme weather event caused no injuries as it swept through the Hampshire town on Friday afternoon.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro), a privately funded research institute specialising in severe convective weather conditions in the UK and Ireland, has estimated the length of the tornado movement to be two kilometres.

Despite its size, the tornado was tentatively classified as a Category 1 or 2 tornado by a tornado investigator, making it relatively minor.

A spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters attended a joint call to an incident in Aldershot yesterday after numerous buildings and trees were damaged by strong winds.

“Rushmoor and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service crews were called shortly after midday and worked closely with partner agencies to secure the scene.”

Rushmoor Parish Council said: “There was a weather event in Cadnam Close, Aldershot which caused damage to two blocks of flats and the downing of several trees.

“Fortunately, no one was injured.

“Property damage was also reported nearby in Lower Farnham Road, Osprey Gardens, Basing Drive, Andover Way, Ayling Lane, Sandown Crescent and Boxalls Lane.

“We are now working closely with all our partner agencies to secure the accident scene.”

Alexis Green, BBC senior weather presenter, said: “The UK has on average nearly 30 tornadoes a year, although this varies from year to year, so they are part of our climate.”

“However, they are rare in some places.

“Today’s event was related to the active thunderstorms in the southern areas.”

Alex Baker, MP for Aldershot, posted on X: “I have been out talking to residents whose homes have been damaged.

“Thank you to Rushmoor Fire Service, Vivid Homes teams and everyone else who helped with the clean up. It was a great community effort.”