AS Hurricane Irma descended on Florida with its 130mph force, all a former North-East woman could do was turn the television up to drown out the terrifying noise and hope for the best.

Professional golfer Stephanie Peareth had no way of moving her micro pig so has chosen to hide in her closet and hope the storm passes as quick as possible.

Before power was lost, she told her friend Jade Atkins that she was petrified but with no suitable transport to move her beloved pet, a tree already blocking access to the street and gridlocked roads she felt she had no option but to stay.

The eye of the storm is expected to miss where the former Darlington Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form Student lives – but extensive damage is still expected to be caused.

On Saturday she posted on Facebook: "Friends and family and more aimed at UK. This will be a beast of storm Sebastian and I will be staying in our home in the closet.

"The storms have just started and we already have a giant tree branch blocking our back garden and on the house. We will post our safety the best we can but we will be losing all communication for a while after the hurricane due to damages. Love you all and please to everyone in Miami with us and Florida be safe.

Her last post before the power went out, stated: "Here she comes...the noises are so hard to explain this is a horrible thing. We are safe and a few hours away from her being right here.

"The thought of looking outside after this is heartbreaking."

Miss Atkins, of Newton Aycliffe, said: "She is such a strong person but I am nervous for her. It is not like her to be scared. This is really serious.

"The pig is like a child to her, it has its own bedroom. She could never leave it. It has had it about 18 months and it was only meant to grow to about 18lb - it is now 157lb."

Miss Peareth has played golf since the age of 13 when she attended Oakleaf, Newton Aycliffe, after the influence of her grandfather, Bill, and her parents, Ann and Mark.

She played for her club, Durham County Juniors and Durham County Ladies. She was crowned Scotland Under-16 Champion too. She moved to Miami when she was 18-years-old.

Miss Atkins added: "She told me not to worry until we had been without contact for more than a week as that is the amount of time it is expected to get the power back on.

"Where she lives she is not at risk of coastal flooding but she is concerned about the amount of rainfall it could bring.

"When she got back last week she said said she couldn't believe what was going on. She said it was like an apocalypse. There was just no food and water left in Walmart.

"I have lost contact with her now. I am just hoping for the best."