Remembering the 1987 storm...

  • Meridian
The Great Storm of 1987. Credit: ITV Meridian

It was an experience those who lived through it will never forget. On this night in October 1987, the worst storm in living memory devastated much of southern England.

Eighteen people lost their lives, countless buildings were ripped apart, and thousands of acres of woodland were flattened.

But 25 years on, did some of those storm clouds turn out to have a silver lining?

Our correspondent Malcolm Shaw has been investigating and speaks to David Marchant from Wakehurst Place, mobile home owner Rhona Neale, Electrical Engineer Officer David Tyler, Chris Davison, Second Engineer, Crispin Scott of the National Trust and Chris Clenett, from Wakehurst Place.