This was the latest dramatic landslip in the West Midlands, caused by wettest spell of summer weather for 150 years.

Tonnes of heavy rock fell onto the corner of a busy Wolverhampton road, causing thousands of pounds damage. The landslip happened at the corner of Goldthorn Hill and Goldthorn Road overnight, sending rocks tumbling into the road.

A lone policeman spotted the damage at 5.45am today and managed to clear both roads of the stones.

Today the owner of the wall, which borders a nursing home, was holding his breath as he awaited the repair bill. George Dixon, owner of Millenia House, said: “I am not looking forward to having a conversation with my insurers.” 

An average of 140mm of rain fell across England and Wales in June – twice the long-term average and the highest since 1860.

Forecasters today revealed almost three times the monthly average of rain fell locally. Met Office figures at its Edgbaston centre show 7.2in of rain fell compared with the 30-year average of 2.4in.