PEOPLE across the district have been counting the cost of one of the worst thunderstorms in living memory after giant hailstones the size of golf balls smashed down on homes and cars.

Huge flashes of sheet and forked lightning lit the sky after one of the area’s hottest days, bringing a torrential downpour followed by the freak hailstorm.

Balls of ice up to two inches across pounded down on Keighley, Oxenhope, Haworth and elsewhere on Wednesday night, denting cars, shredding leaves from trees and even stripping pebbledash from houses.

Graham Carr, from Oakworth, told how his black Renault Grand Scenic people carrier had been peppered with soft dents by the hail.

“I’m not too sure that I will get it repaired as I’m not sure I want to pay the insurance excess and lose my no-claims.

“But of course I am annoyed with what happened as it was completely out of my control,” he said.

However, amateur weather enthusiast, Mr Carr said the storm had been extremely interesting.

“With extreme weather events being a particular interest of mine, the storm last night was very exciting.

“It was scary. I’ve never experienced or seen a storm like this in my 40 years.

“The storm was more akin to the supercell storms you get on the Texan plains of America,” Mr Carr said. “I can’t say the same for my fiancee and dog however, who were both very scared and upset, it sounded like it was going to come through the roof at the worst point of the storm!”

Worth Valley district councillor Glen Miller watched as his grey Audi TT sports car was hit by the hail.

“It has two dents on the roof, three on the bonnet and the biggest dent is on the auto spoiler on the boot.

“There was no time to get in under cover or anything – the hail just came smashing down.

“The biggest hail stone was about two inches across and they also smashed through a greenhouse.

“The Audi is only four years old and I’ve only had it six weeks – I suppose it’s just one of those things,” Cllr Miller said ruefully. “The storm itself was amazing and reminded me of one I’ve seen while on holiday in the southern states of America when the hurricanes come.”

Haworth businessman Ian Ward woke to find his three-year-old black BMW 5 series with three big dents.

“I watched as it happened and I may phone my insurance as my no-claims is protected, but it’s probably not worth it,” said Mr Ward stoically.

Ward councillor for Worth Valley Rebecca Poulsen’s Ford Kuga was also damaged outside her Haworth home.

“It’s got lots of little dents all over it!” she said.

“There doesn’t seem to be any major damage to properties, it’s just made a huge mess with loads of leaves and stones left strewn everywhere."