Maghera man Martin McKenna was watching a passing thunder and lightning storm with friends and spotted the twister around 4.35pm.

He said: “At the time above we were astonished to see a black funnel descend from the base of a Cumulonimbus Anvil cloud and lower to what appeared to be the ground.

“This was a bonafide tornado located on the south east horizon several miles away and seemed to be located in the Maghera, Magherafelt, Gulladuff area.

“It was visible for 15 minutes and was of tremendous size and no doubt would have been seen by drivers on the roads.

“In real time we watched it twist and bend and form into a living rope until it ascended into the sky and divided in two before vanishing from view.

“I have never seen anything like it before from here! I would be interested in knowing if anyone else seen the funnel and if any land owners found any ground evidence in a field supporting the visual account.”