A FALLEN tree led to a road closure in Christchurch this morning.

The Grove at Jumpers Common was shut at 9.45 am after part of an oak tree ended up blocking the road. It has now reopened.

A Dorset police spokeswoman said no-one had been hurt. The road was closed between Bosley Way and Elm Avenue. An electricity cable came down as well as the 20ft branch.

Local residents reported hearing a loud crash as the branch hit the ground.

Peter Aldridge, whose power was cut off as a result of the incident, said: "There was just a huge great thump then we all ran outside.

"I thought it might have been a car accident or something. It was that kind of noise.

"It made a hell of a thud.

"It's taken our power cables out but I think we are the only ones.

"The council only came down a couple of months ago and were trimming all the dead weight.

"It's lucky there wasn't anyone on the road."

PC Matthew Constable said they were called after residents heard an "almighty great crash".

The police officers helped to remove the branches from the road with the help of local residents, who also assisted a council worker in sweeping the road or remaining debris.

Resident Clo Chupin added: "I thought it was a car accident.

"It's really lucky there wasn't anyone underneath at the time. For a Saturday it's quite quiet."

An engineer from SSE has arrived and made the power cables safe and is attempting to restore power.