According to the Met Office, the vortex doesn't usually reach the earth's surface, but if it does, it becomes a proper twister.

Lisa Webb, who captured video of one of the clouds, was at home in Hartlip with her family when they spotted the phenomenon forming over Stockbury, Kent at about 3.45pm on Sunday.

The 49-year-old said: "It was just cloudy with no rain, and we saw it starting to emerge, coming down.

"It was coming down quite to a point. It must have lasted about 15 minutes.

"We didn't know anything about funnel clouds - we thought it was a tornado.

"It was exciting, as it's not right on your doorstep."

Others across the county also spoke of their amazement as the weather front moved along."