DUDLEY may have escaped the worst of the winter storms but gales left one resident out in the cold.

Strong winds on Friday February 14 blew the roof off the reptile house at Dudley Zoo leaving a West African dwarf crocodile called Janet exposed to the elements.

A spokesperson for the Castle Hill zoo said 16-year-old Janet was unharmed and heaters inside ensured the croc suffered no ill effects from cold.

Dudley Zoological Gardens’ head of media and communications, Jill Hitchman, said: "There was absolutely no risk of Janet escaping as she is within a secure enclosure inside the building.

"Everyone was surprised to see the section off, but the winds were very strong on the hill on Friday and just caught the side of the Reptile House which is on the turn of road leading up to the castle."