Travel alert as 80mph winds lash UK

Trees have been uprooted and buildings damaged across the country, with the emergency services bracing themselves after a night of gale-force winds.

There have been no major incidents reported so far, but forecasters warn the extreme weather will continue across southern England throughout the day.

The highest recorded wind speed so far is 82mph in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, while the Needles off the coast of the Isle of Wight experienced gusts of 70mph.

The winds were making their way towards London, with Heathrow being buffeted by 42mph winds. In other parts of the country the east coast of Northern Ireland hit 63mph, it was 49mph in Crosby in Merseyside and 46mph in Birmingham.

Police in Devon & Cornwall, South Wales and Dorset, the areas most severely hit overnight, said there had been no major incidents.

But all reported that trees have been uprooted on roads and rail lines and warned of the danger to commuters. In Lytchett Matravers near Poole in Dorset a tree came down on a house, but there are no reports of any injuries.

Inspector Mike Kynaston of Dorset Police warned people to make only "essential" journeys.

He said: "Unless your journey is absolutely essential I would not travel, and if you are travelling do so with extreme caution."

The Environment Agency currently has seven severe flood warnings in force, 48 flood warnings and 53 flood watches.