A LARGE tree has fallen on Poole Road in Bournemouth, which is expected to be closed for several hours.

Pedestrians and bus passengers had a lucky escape after the pine tree came crashing down outside the Premier Inn hotel at around 7pm.

As it fell it caught the roof of a bus, which had several passengers on board, but fortunately caused little damage and no one was injured.

The road is expected to be closed for several hours while council staff remove the tree.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: “The tree clipped the roof of the bus as it fell. Luckily no one was injured.”

Staff at the Premier Inn said they heard a loud crashing noise and thought there had been an accident outside.

Renata Zapasnika, a receptionist at the hotel, said: “We heard a loud noise. At first I thought it was a car crash or something. Then people came in and told us what had happened and said about the tree.

“We couldn't believe it. One couple came in and said they had just walked past before it happened. If it had been a minute before, or even less, they would have been hit by it. Thank God no one was hurt.”

The police spokesman said the Morebus sustained minor damage to its roof. No one was injured during the incident.

The road, which was completely blocked by the tree, has been closed in both directions.

This evening a Dorset Police spokesman said the road is likely to remain closed until midnight.