SUFFOLK has escaped the path of a tornado today which caused havoc as it ripped through other parts of the country.At least eight people were injured when the mini-tornado moved through parts of Birmingham earlier this afternoon.

SUFFOLK has escaped the path of a tornado today which caused havoc as it ripped through other parts of the country.

At least eight people were injured when the mini-tornado moved through parts of Birmingham earlier this afternoon.

Trees were uprooted and extensive damage was caused to some buildings.

But instead of heading towards East Anglia the tornado moved towards Lincolnshire.

A spokesman for the Met Officce said: "The tornado is extremely unlikely to come as far as Suffolk and is already heading in the opposite direction.

"There are heavy showers in northern parts of East Anglia and residents in Suffolk should prepare for these to head in their direction – but that is as bad as it should get."

An emergency triage centre was set up in the Moseley area of Birmingham and the High Street closed in neighbouring Kings Heath when the tornado hit.

None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening but motorists were being advised to avoid the area after a number of trees were blown down and roofs were reportedly lifted off buildings.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "I can confirm we have been called out to the High Street in Kings Heath to a number of incidents.

"I have had a report back from the scene that approximately 300 metres of the shopping centre in the High Street has been severely damaged by adverse weather conditions."