Given recent extraordinary events associated with Hurricane Fabian, motorists might not have been that shocked when they drove past Burchall?s Cove, Hamilton Parish yesterday and saw a trampoline in a tree.

Yet, it was hardly something one sees every day.

Mother Melissa Trott was not amused to come home from work and find a new form of tree art gracing the outside of her back garden.

The 16-foot wide trampoline she bought for her family for Christmas cost $600.

But she was laughing about it yesterday. ?It?s a pretzel. It?s funny. I couldn?t believe it when I saw it. Everyone?s been calling me up today to laugh about it.?

She said when she bought the trampoline from Sports R Us in Hamilton she was told that the trampoline would be able to withstand strong winds.

?They said the wind would just go right through it. I wouldn?t have thought it would get picked up by the wind. It weighs almost 300 pounds.?

Ms Trott said the shop had told her it would not replace it.

?They told me that wouldn?t happen. I?m mad. They didn?t tell me I would have to nail it down or anything.?

But Sports R Us manager Darren Mayo said yesterday no one from his shop had told Ms Trott that.

?It?s a ludicrous statement,? he said.

?I can understand she might be upset. But it?s common sense that if you have something outside like a trampoline, just like a satellite dish or lawn furniture, you will have to lash it down in the event of strong winds.?

Ms Trott said the Fire Department had said they might have to cut branches from the tree in order to remove the mangled wreckage. In the meantime, Fire officers have tied it to the branches to ensure it does not fly away and cause more damage.

?It definitely can?t be salvaged,? said Ms Trott. ?It?s a mess. I can?t buy another one. I had to save up to get that one.?