A RETIRED couple have described their utter devastation at waking up up to find the barn they lovingly restored to host their daughter’s wedding had been destroyed by what they believe was a tornado.

Michael Mellors didn’t believe his wife Peta when she told him that the 17th century barn now lay on top of his 20-year-old BMW Z3, a restored tractor and Freda, his beloved Ford Camper.

Retired Powys Council worker Peta from Llandefalle said she was woken by the noise of hail and wind at about 5am.

"When I went out at about 7.30am to feed the animals the barn was in ruins," said the 64-year-old, who was unable to attend a family funeral as a result of the damage. "All their feed was in the barn, as well as my husband’s prized vehicles."

Just three-years-ago, the couple lovingly restored the barn at the Llandefalle small holding, to host their daughter’s wedding.

Michael, who celebrated his 68th birthday on Sunday, said the barn’s structured has stayed in tact since the 18th Century.

"The wall for the barn were at least two and a half foot long," said the former surveyor. "In the 30 years we have lived here, we have never witnessed anything like this.

"What makes it more difficult is our daughter’s wedding was held here just three years ago."

Mr Mellor believes a tornado may have developed in his courtyard, during the early hours, leaving a trail of destruction.

He said: "The barn roof was a hefty weight, so what ever tore it off must have had some power. A theory a friend has is that the wind began circulate in the court yard, bouncing off the house and outbuilding, thus causing a tornado."

Amateur weather watcher Andres Davis from Crai said an echo believed to have been a tornado was identified by meteorologists during the early hours of Friday.

He said: "At about 5:15am on Friday a large shower could be seen crossing the Irish Sea as a small and not too potent shower and was invigorated significantly by the hills at Pwllheli. It then crossed north east of Cardigan Bay, making landfall at Harlech.

"Given the direction of movement, conditions would have been conducive to developing a tornado.

"From pictures the damage could well have been caused by a tornado."

Whether a tornado caused the damage or just extreme gales, Michael is thankful that his wife wasn’t in the barn at the time.

He said: "Things could have been much worse, we are lucky we didn’t get hurt. If this had happened two hours later she would have been feeding the animals.

The clean-up operation is estimated to cost thousands but the Mellors said the community have rallied around, offering support.

"The amount of help we have been offered is overwhelming," said Michael. "Neighbours have arrived with their farm vehicles offering to help. We would like to thank everyone for their kind offers of help. It’s at times like this that the community pulls together."