As Hurricane Irma ripped its way across her tiny, helpless island, Joycie Webber clung to the floor of her home for five hours – and prayed.

“It was hot and heavy,” she recalled. “I thought it would never end.”

The storm almost erased Barbuda off the map. Every building was badly damaged, and 185mph winds ripped the roof off the 51-year-old postal worker's home.

Ten months later, and Mrs Webber is back in her house, and thrilled – thanks to a surprising benefactor.

“They told me it was China!” she said. “The Chinese paid to put the roof back on my home. And so I said thank you very much – I’m really very grateful.”