A rotten branch from a towering tree came crashing down in high winds in Orpington.

The mature tree, thought to be a lime, lost a hefty branch outside the Nugent Shopping Park along Cray Avenue.

The branch, described as 10ft long, fell on the path today (May 6) missing cars and buildings.

The Met Office warned of gales across London and north kent, thought to be a factor in felling the branch.

Eyewitness Adi Mitchell, 19, said: “I saw falling leaves, and then this massive branch of the tree fell down.

“It came down quite fast, within a few seconds.

“I went outside and saw it was all rotten, black in the middle.

“My first thought was has it hit any cars, or were any people walking along the path.

“It’s lucky no one got hurt.”

MORE TOP STORIES The Carphone Warehouse worker, from Green Street Green, added: “The main part of the branch completely covered the path and it was reaching into the car park. The tree itself is about as tall as the buildings.

“It could have really hurt someone; it’s not a small branch.

“Luckily it fell on the path and not the road as it would have really blocked traffic.

“I definitely think the wind was a factor, it was really windy today.

“When I waiting for the bus I was a bit worried and wondered whether any other branches were going to fall down.”

A member of Nugent security added: “It’s not the first time this has happened, the trees here are quite susceptible to storm damage. I think the wind had a bearing on it coming down.

“It’s about 14 inches wide at the base of the branch.

“We chopped it up with a handsaw and stacked the bits by the trunk."

Bromley Council, thought to maintain the tree, has been contacted for a comment.