An air pressure whirlwind caused by a Heathrow plane was so strong it sent tiles dangerously crashing from this Hounslow family home.

Mum-of-two Geeta Odedra was woken up at 6.30am last Friday with the noise of an aircraft together with a loud crash.

"I thought it was part of a plane falling on my roof, it was really worrying, I had to run round waking everybody up. Then I saw all the tiles in the garden and in my neighbour's garden, the fire brigade and an ambulance even turned up."

An inspector from BAA visited the Moulton Avenue home in Hounslow a few hours later to inspect the roof and informed Geeta and her husband Keshav that the damage was caused by a "vortex", what the BAA describe as a "circulating current of air generated by aircraft which can sometimes strike and damage the roofs of houses under the flightpath."

The family were told not to return to their home until the roof was fixed with tiles continuing to fall throughout the day.

BAA Heathrow runs a Vortex Protection Scheme, to protect homes around the airport and provides a 24-hour telephone service for residents who suspect they have had a vortex strike.

Under this £15m scheme funded by BAA Heathrow, the Odedras received a new roof and were allowed back in the house that evening.

If you suspect you have received a vortex strike, you should report it to BAA immediately by calling, 020 8745 7930 or 07860 323816 outside office hours.