Storm causes major disruption across the South West

There was severe disruption yesterday as gale-force winds and heavy rain hit the South West.

Devon County Council said they received reports of more than 200 flooding incidents and around 105 fallen trees throughout the day. Torridge and East Devon have been among the hardest hit, and a number of roads have been closed across the county.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it had taken over 60 storm-related calls, including rescues of motorists stuck in flood water.

Network Rail said that trains were unable to run between Newton Abbot and Plymouth due use of a tree on the line at Ivybridge; flooding caused trains running between Newton Abbot and Paignton  to be suspended.

First Great Western reported  "major disruptions" on services between Exmouth and Barnstaple, Looe and Liskeard and to and from Paignton.

Elsewhere, the Tamar Bridge, which connects Devon and Cornwall, has been closed to high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes, while flights between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly have been rescheduled for Tuesday.

The King Harry Ferry, St Mawes Ferry and Cremyll Ferry services have all been cancelled, as have Brittany Ferries services between Roscoff and Plymouth.

The Met Office said gusts of 76mph had been recorded at Berry Head in Devon.

Forecasters say the rain should clear South East England on Tuesday morning, with the winds moderating from the west.

Eddy Carroll, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We can expect stormy weather in many areas to start the Christmas week, but looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we are expecting it to turn colder, with a mix of wintry showers and sunny spells but for wind speeds to drop. So there is a chance that some places may see a White Christmas.