A builder had his own personal battle with Storm Emma when he was nearly swept away by a brutal gust of wind.

Kyle Chase, from Lowestoft, works as a dryliner and was bravely doing his utmost yesterday to combat the elements at a building site in his hometown.

The 31-year-old was carrying a sheet of plaster board across the site when a blast of roaring wind struck, forcing him to cling on to some nearby scaffolding for dear life.

His colleagues couldn't contain their laughter as they wisely watched on from the warmth of the indoors, before Mr Chase scrambled to his feet and trudged off in disbelief.

Having recovered from the blustery torment, he said: 'Initially I drove from Lowestoft to work in Saxmundham, but I got stuck on the way there because of the snow and turned back,' said Mr Chase. 'Fortunately the company I work for has another site at the Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft, so I worked there instead.

'I was carrying a sheet of celotex and it started to take off - and I nearly took off with it!

'The winds down on the seafront are absolutely terrible.'