Sennen Cove RNLI Lifeboat Station in Cornwall roof flies off in Storm Eunice winds

• Debris left behind after roof comes off Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station

The roof of the lifeboat station at Sennen Cove in Penzance has been torn off by the high winds of Storm Eunice.

The road has been blocked and police officers remain at the scene.

One local resident who was out walking his dog at around 8.30am this morning when the roof came off said he felt "lucky" to be alive after witnessing the roof collapse.

"I came past the RNLI station and about 15 minutes later I heard the crashing and the roof was on the ground."

• One local resident says he feels "very lucky" to be alive after witnessing the roof come off

"I feel very lucky. If I'd come out 15 minutes later, I would probably be underneath it", he said.

A surf coach who has lived in Sennen Cove for 30 years said the community is “shocked” by Storm Eunice’s destruction of the town’s lifeboat station.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were at Sennen Cove, near Penzance, on Friday where the roof of the lifeboat station came off and landed on power cables.

Sam Smart of the neighbouring Smart Surf School told the PA news agency: “It is as dangerously windy as I’ve ever known it.

“I went outside first thing in the morning because I could hear a racket and I wanted to make sure everything was battened down,” the 41-year-old said.

“I didn’t want want to stay outside for too long because I could see objects flying through the air, it actually felt unsafe to be outside… 10 minutes later, the roof of the lifeboat station got blown off.”

Mr Smart said the people of Sennen Cove are “especially sad” for the station, which has been evacuated, because of their respect for the local area.

“The people of Sennen Cove are generally used to the storms, to be honest, but we’re a bit shocked with the power of the wind this time around.”

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Officers are currently at Sennen Cove where the roof of the lifeboat station has come off and is resting on power cables.

"Due to safety reasons, please do not attend the area whilst Western Power work with us to make the area safe."

A major incident was declared in Cornwall ahead of Storm Eunice and a red weather warning - which means there is a danger to life - has been issued for the Cornish coastline.

People are being advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary, and to stay away from exposed coastal areas.