The strike damaged the roof of Hebron Church in Rhewl, Denbighshire, and made a hole in the front of the building.

One person who lives nearby told Sky News he and his family were in "disbelief".

Fire crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service cordoned off the area due to structural damage.

Smoke was visible when crews arrived at the scene at 6.51pm on Saturday evening but there were no apparent flames.

The building was unoccupied at the time and the fire service contacted the owner to arrange an electrician and structural engineer.

The incident was under control by 8.44pm.

Bradley Beazley was at home with his family nearby when he saw a "big white flash".

"My son, my partner and myself were sat on our balcony watching and hearing the incoming storm for around 45 minutes," he told Sky News.

Mr Beazley said the thunder did not stop for 45 minutes.

"The clouds above the house slowly went black and rain suddenly arrived. We went back into the lounge and decided to watch the storm. We left the balcony doors open," he added.

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"Next thing lightning struck. It was at the same height as the cottage i.e. tops of surrounding trees on the mountainside.

"There was a big white flash with a big bang in one location - best way to describe it - like a massive electrical socket going 'bang' and whiteness around one particular zone at tree-top height.

"We all shot behind the sofa in disbelief."