A FAMILY is still reeling at the shock of finding a fallen tree just inches from a room where a new-born baby was sleeping.

The Donaldson family, of Spindle Close, Kidderminster, were aghast when they woke on Monday morning to find the 60ft silver birch had fallen inches from their home.

Although the Midlands avoided the worst of the Great Storm 2000 the Donaldson's are living proof of what might have been.

Rachel Donaldson said the family were still in shock at the thought of the tree crashing into the room where her niece Ellie-May, who is 10 weeks old, and her mother Cheri were sleeping.

She said: "We couldn't believe it when we saw how close the tree had come to the house.

"We dread to think what would have happened if the tree had hit the back room. Cheri is still in shock about it but the main thing is both mother and baby are fine."

The tree caused damage to the back garden, crashed into a neighbouring fence and smashed a concrete post.

It also plunged into another tree which fell onto their neighbour's Wendy House in the garden.

Miss Donaldson said: "It could have been a double disaster if the tree had fallen during the day and the children were playing in the Wendy House."

The Donaldson's now plan to chop down another silver birch tree which still stands in their garden.