One in 10 homes in the UK are running up repair costs amounting to thousands of pounds as a result of bad weather.

Research by Abbey has revealed that 11% of UK properties in the UK have been damaged as a result of strong winds, storms and flooding in the past five years, leading to average repair bills of £2,699.

Roofs and gardens are the most likely places to suffer damage from severe weather, although a quarter of all damage is to the insides of properties — for example, where loose tiles cause water ingress into a house.

People in Wales and the South-west worry most about the effect of bad weather on their property, according to the Abbey survey, while the Scottish are the most laid-back, with only 29% feeling concerned about potential damage.

However, it is not all doom and gloom as the climate may be bringing local communities together. Over 59% of us check on elderly relatives, neighbours or friends following adverse weather.

Lloyd Wilson of Abbey Home Insurance said: "Bad-weather damage is a costly inconvenience, and for some people, especially in flood areas, it's becoming a yearly nightmare. The risk of damage to our homes is an ever-increasing reality and we need to be prepared for it."

Homeowners should not only prepare their property, but also make sure that they are in a position to limit the costs of any damages that might occur by making sure their home is adequately insured.

In winter months it is advisable to put garden furniture and other loose objects in a shed, or secure them by other means. Homeowners should tend to trees, clear guttering, and secure loose tiles and conservatory roofs.