Staff at a brewery were evacuated after a lightning strike.

Some 30 members of staff at Palmers Brewery in West Bay Road, Bridport, had to leave the building - the only thatched brewery in the UK - after a violent thunderstorm broke over the town today.

There was no damage to the buildings on the complex after a huge clap of thunder accompanying a bolt of lightning directly over the centre of Bridport.

Head brewer Darren Batten said that the strike happened at about 2.15pm.

“The thunder was right overhead and we saw a huge flash of lightning,” he said.

“ There was a huge bang which set off all the alarms. Fortunately there was no lasting damage to any of the buildings, but we all had to evacuate.

“So there were about 30 members of staff standing out in the pouring rain for half an hour.”

Palmers' managing director John Palmer said it was the first time he could recall the brewery being struck by lightning.