HUNDREDS of villagers were stumped in 2004 when a fallen tree prevented them from getting home.

Up to 200 residents of the Langside estate in Kilbarchan had to abandon their cars during the evening rush-hour and were forced to walk along a cycle track after strong winds blew the large tree onto a busy street, blocking their path.

No-one was injured when the mature giant crashed to the ground at the junction of Station Road and Churchill Place on a Wednesday evening.

Witnesses told of the village grinding to a halt as returning commuters had to leave their vehicles by the roadside and on grass verges.

One local said at the time: “There was a lot of chaos.

“People had to park on grass verges and the police were out trying to stop traffic from entering the village.

“It was such a windy day. I sail and know how the wind can pick up, and this was an unusually strong wind.

“I was physically blown along the street in Johnstone a few hours earlier.”