A 'beast' of a tree has been smashed into a North Yorkshire village church during the recent storms.

The trunk is leaning against the spire of the church and one of the branches has smashed through a window.

Following the severe weather amateur photographer Rick Reed, 69, went to visit the Norman-style church.

He was shocked by the size of the tree which had been felled by the recent storms.

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The 69-year-old, who lives in Eston, said: "I have a caravan near the church. 

"I was heading out for a walk with my camera when the lady who runs a nearby caravan site told me I had to go to visit the church.

"She is a regular church goer and she told me that a huge tree had smashed into the spire.

"I couldn't see it at first when I approached the church because it was around the back.

"It's quite a beast of a tree.

The Northern Echo: Recent storms have felled a huge tree onto Cowesby church

"I was very careful but I went inside to see if any damage had been caused by the tree.

"One of its branches had smashed through one of the glass windows.

"I considered trying to get up and move the tree off the spire but it looks like it will be very difficult to move.

"The bell tower has got a ceiling and it is above that so the only way to get to it is with a ladder.

"It's going to take a team to get it safely down."

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The North East has been battered by strong winds in recent weeks and one of them has brought down a behemoth tree in Cowesby, Thirsk.

The Church of St Michaels and All Angels has been a Grade II listed building since 1990.

It was built on the site of a Saxon church.