Queensland dust storm: Australian town left blanketed in thick dust after it is struck by 124-mile wide storm

An Australian town was blanketed with thick orange dust after a 124-mile wide storm swept through the outback.

The storm hit Charleville in south-west Queensland on Tuesday - leaving trees down and the town covered in red dust.

The scenes came after 60mph winds whipped dust up from the outback, which was particularly dry after a lengthy spell without rain.

Harry Clark, from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said: "We do see a fair few dust events through the western parts of Queensland because it is such a dry and hot place, but it's definitely one of the more impressive events of the last few years."

The dust storm was estimated to be about 124 miles wide, and took many of the town's residents by surprise.

Paige Donald told ABC News: "We heard thunder, so we went outside to make sure the dogs were okay and bring everything inside, and we turned around and there was this big red dust storm coming along — it was pretty thick.

"Our eyes are covered in dust."

Police said the storm lasted only a few hours and caused minor damage only.