Trunk call: High drama in Melton on Saturday morning when a giant tree crashed down onto a property on the corner of St Audrys Lane as estate agents were showing prospective buyers round during an open morning

A TRAINEE estate agent had the shock of his life when a huge tree fell on to the roof of a house as he showed prospective buyers around.

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Dale Mortimer, from Sutton, was hosting an open house at the cottage in The Street, Melton, near Woodbridge, on Saturday morning.

But just 10 minutes into the hour-long session and, as he was guiding an interested couple around the property, the tree crashed through the roof.

Mr Mortimer, 17, has worked for Hamilton Smith estate agents in Woodbridge, where his mother is a partner, for less than a year. He told how he initially heard a worrying cracking sound coming from outside and then saw the tree plummeting towards them.

He said: “We were in the room that the tree fell on to. The lady I was with looked out of the window and said ‘Oh my God – that tree’s falling this way’ and we all ran to the door. It got a bit close.

“It’s not done much structural damage to the house but it’s completely destroyed the gate to the driveway.

“No-one was hurt. I called the police and they came and diverted traffic and we had some locals come out with their chainsaws and cut the tree up. It was all a bit exciting.

“The guy who owns the property came and said he can get that fixed by next week.

“The couple were very shocked and left quite soon after, but they said they wanted to see it again.”

Mrs Mortimer said the house had been bought by a builder, who had renovated the property before putting it up for sale again.

She added: “It’s a little toll-gate cottage in Melton. The tree just fell on to the corner of the property, right across the road.

“In 24 years of selling houses we haven’t had a tree fall on us yet and I have seen a few things. Luckily, it wasn’t too bad.”