WHEN Birmingham University lecturer Dr Kenneth Wardle's Moseley home was hit by the 120mph tornado, his first thought was how lucky he had been to get out alive with only a hole in the roof and a crumbling chimney. The 59-year-old archaeologist and his wife Diane, aged 57, temporarily fixed the roof to prevent any leaks in his house on Grove Avenue and waited for the first rush of insurance policy claims in the area to calm down. But when they called the Halifax insurance company they were stunned to hear their claim was refused - because the Met Office said there had been no bad weather in Birmingham!
 Dr Wardle said: "We were lucky to get off so lightly, so I did not rush to bother the insurance office early on, because everybody else had much bigger problems than us. "I am totally gobsmacked and very angry at the response. I just wonder what they said to all of the people who have lost so much more and can't be helped. "They just asked if I could provide written proof of being in the area and then they said my claim had been declined as winds above 40 knots were not recorded at my postcode." Halifax's senior claims manager Martyn Foulds said the system used by Halifax for policy claims did not account for freak weather. He said: "It is unfortunate that there was a genuine error on our part and as soon as Dr Wardle contacted us again we immediately rectified the problem." * The leader of Birmingham City Council called on the Government to make clear what funds would be made available. "Since the tornado struck on Thursday, the council has been working round the clock, with the emergency services, to make sure the area which has been hit is safe and secure so that as many residents as possible can return to their homes," said Coun Mike Whitby. "I met local government minister Phil Woolas and stressed that there was an urgent need for Government to consider financial support for people to rebuild their shattered lives." Mr Woolas said the Government would support the council financially as it struggled to help Birmingham back on its feet. He added: "I have said to the leader of the council that if there are any gaps, we will attempt to fill them." Mr Woolas said Government money could cover up to 80% of costs borne by local authorities as a result of a natural disaster. | 
