This is the moment a tornado was spotted forming in the skies over Wirral this afternoon.

Although technically not a tornado until it reaches the ground, conditions were perfect for this funnel cloud to form.

Wirral and Liverpool were battered by torrentail rain, thunder and lightning this afternoon, as a weather front arrived over the area.

READ MORE: Hurricane Gert set to bring strong winds to Merseyside this weekend

Parts of Merseyside getting battered by heavy rain, thunder and lightning this afternoon. Send us your pics if you see anything! pic.twitter.com/wY9lMWM0jP

— Wirral Weather (@Wirral_Weather) August 18, 2017

The surprising image was captured on camera by Tom Elias in Irby around 2pm.

Tom said: “The sky was completely black and there where a few rumbles of thunder and rain in the distance.

“I felt amazed to actually see this in person as it is my first time seeing one.

“It was a surprise to see one around these parts”.

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