A house in Cumbria has been badly damaged after being struck by lightning, blowing a hole in the roof.

It happened in Thursby, near Carlisle, as thunderstorms hit the area.

Emergency services were called at 4.45am this mroning.

Firefighters from the Carlisle West station went to the scene.

A spokesman said the occupants were awoken by a large bang as lightning struck the roof and travelled through the house.

All of the doors blew open and there was a smell of burning from the electrics.

All of the plug sockets were damaged along with the fuse board and electrical mains.

Nobody was hurt.