A former Tenby couple  had a miraculous escape from recent devastating storms which hit the Portugese island of Madeira.

Jill and Bob Lewis came within inches of death when they set out for a meeting at their church when the worst of the torrential rain and flash floods struck the island.

The couple, who live in Garajau, five miles from the main city of Funchal, had no idea of the horror that lay before them when they left home on Saturday, February 20.

"It was very foggy and was raining; the roads were very muddy and we began thinking we should not be doing this, especially when we came across some roads which were closed," said Jill.

"When we stopped and spoke to a Portguese gentleman, he told us to get out of the car and look at the scene below us. All we could see was torrents of muddy water raging. We then knew we had to get home as soon as possible."

After a frightful journey home, the couple arrived to find they had no electricity, but when the power was restored later in the day, they managed to see photographs on the internet of the area where they had been which had been wrecked by the floods, falling trees and landslides.

"We were actually within half-an-hour of death," said Jill.

Sadly, more than 40 people did lose their lives in the terrifying weather, with more than 100 others being injured, and many more left homeless.

Fortunately, Jill and Bob's house in the south of the Atlantic island was unharmed by the storms, but they were able to see again first-hand the devastation when they made their way back to Funchal to attend the Sunday service at the Anglican church, Holy Trinity, where Bob is a Lay Reader.

"We had to park a long way from the church and walk through the debris left by the landslides," continued Jill. "Streets where the Madeirans live were just mud baths; one shoe shop we passed had all its shoes thrown outside."

Jill and Bob have recently been back in Pembrokeshire for a planned holiday, but Bob has just returned to Madeira and reports that work on the clean-up operation is well underway.

"There are lots of JCBs and diggers working out there and it is hoped to get the area back to normal within a couple of weeks," said Jill.

"The area needs its tourists and people should not cancel their flights. Madeira is a really beautiful island."

The couple's church is now helping with the Appeal for Madeira, collecting financial donations and clothing for the many who have lost their homes and loved ones.

Jill is also keen to appeal to local knitters to make trauma teddies which she can take back with her for the local children.

We have the patterns here at the Observer, and anyone who would like one is asked to call in and pick one up.

Anyone who would like to make a donation for the appeal should send it, made out to The Diocese in Europe, to The Diocese in Europe, The Finance Officer - Nick Wraight, 14 Tufton Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3NZ.