Two midwives have spoken of their terror when a tree fell on them during a tornado.

Lisa Spicer, 25, and Liz Kerr, 31, were trapped under a horse chestnut tree which was blown down as they were walking in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on Friday.

Miss Kerr, from London, was visiting Miss Spicer, who lives in Hill Close, Charlbury, and they decided to go for a walk.

Miss Spicer said: "We went in through the back gates but we didn't get to the palace. We were just walking along the road when this huge tree came over the wall from the left.

"We tried to run to the right but there wasn't time to get away. It landed and everything went black for a second."

Miss Kerr added: "I heard this loud crack and I saw this big tree and leaves coming towards me and I just shouted 'run' to Lisa. "It was so big we didn't know which way to run, so we ran away from it and the top of the tree hit us.

"All I can remember is being hit on the back of the head, then crouching in a strange position under the tree with my teeth jammed right back into my mouth.

"I was trying not to panic, but it was all such a shock."

Unable to move, Miss Spicer started shouting for help in the hope of attracting the attention of two runners they had just passed -- off-duty fire officers Station Officer Mike Bingham and Divisional Officer Martin Crapper.

Miss Spicer said: "We were both trapped underneath and I couldn't see Liz at all. I was able to scream for help, but I couldn't hear Liz because her mouth was injured.

"What kept me calm was knowing that the two joggers had just passed us. I thought if I scream as loud as I can, there's a chance they might come back to help."

The women were freed by the firefighters, and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

Miss Spicer, who is currently living with a family to look after their new-born baby, suffered a broken wrist and severe bruising.

Miss Kerr, who works at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Greenwich, had two front teeth knocked out and was also badly bruised. She underwent surgery and her teeth will have to be replaced.

They plan to take legal advice on suing the Blenheim estate, as both are expected to be off work for at least six weeks.

A spokesman for Blenheim Palace declined to comment.