A DISABLED woman said to be trapped by killer tornadoes in Florida has rung home to say: "Reports about me have all been a storm in a teacup."

Margaret Howe, 67, of Alma Place, Clitheroe, was staying in the St Petersburg resort, 70 miles south of Tampa, where the full force of the storm struck.

Twelve twisters tore through the area earlier this week wrecking everything in their path and leaving 39 people dead and 120 reported missing.

National and local newspapers have reported the widow as saying the storm was the "worst she had ever endured" and that she was afraid she was off to join "the big man in the sky."

But daughter Denise Fawcett, of Ribble Avenue, Grindleton, said she had heard from her mother, who was "safe and well and having a great time." Denise has been waiting by the phone for news since reports that British holidaymakers had cowered in their hotel rooms as the storms raged.

"Mum said the twisters passed 70 miles away from where she is staying, although there had been a severe storm and torrential rain.

"She had no idea that her off-the-cuff remarks to a national reporter in a pub had been splashed all over the newspapers and laughed when I told her.

"She assured me that she is all in one piece and having a great time. It was really nice to talk to her and hear for myself," she said.

A spokesman for Manchester Weather Centre said conditions in Florida over the coming days looked set to be sunny, with some rain.

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