But before you start believing the fairytale of 'The Three Little Pigs' has been brought to life, these scenes were not the doing of the fairytale villain but of the gale-force winds which ravaged Britain today.

The medieval town of Stirling, Scotland (pictured) was one of the many victims of today's chaotic storms when a tree was sent crashing to the ground as torrents of gale-force winds rushed through the town's centre.

Scotland suffered more than anywhere else in Britain, as torrential rain and high winds ravaged its towns and cities.

Thousands of homeowners were left without power while lorries overturned from the force of the wind.

Elsewhere giant waves were seen breaking along the promenade in Blackpool as the gales swept through the North West, causing onlookers to run for shelter from the storm.

For more amazing photographs from today in pictures, click here to view our gallery.