Flights cancelled, roads closed as storm Eowyn batters UK

Rail services and flights have been axed, with rare red weather warnings issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Eowyn is likely to damage buildings, uproot trees and cause power cuts, the Met Office said.

Thousands of people are without power across the South West as the National Grid reports 136 properties without power in Cornwall, 467 across Devon and 779 in Somerset.

Flights from Bristol were cancelled on Friday morning due to ongoing weather conditions.

And that is if holiday goers can get as far as the airport, with reports that Barrow Gurney nearest to barrow tank A38 road is closed in both directions due to a fallen tree.

The Tamar Bridge on the A38 between Devon and Cornwall was closed due to high-sided vehicles until 5am.

Avon and Somerset reported a number of local roads had been blocked due to fallen trees, advising motorists to "take care when travelling".

In Wales, Gwent Police confirmed emergency services were working to manage surface flooding on the B4598 Raglan Toward Abergavenny.

Red warnings for wind have been issued by the Met Office in Northern Ireland from 7am until 2pm on Friday, and for western and central areas of Scotlandbetween 10am and 5pm.

Amber wind warnings are also in place for Northern Ireland, the southern half of Scotland, northern England and north Wales between 6am and 9pm on Friday.

Passengers and motorists in areas covered by red and amber weather warnings have been told to avoid travel "unless absolutely essential".

Winds reaching 60 to 70mph will be widespread in these warning areas.

Smaller yellow warnings for rain in south-west England and Wales until 9am.

RAC Breakdown advised motorists in warnings areas to stay safe by parking away from trees, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoid coastal routes and watch out for debris.

Some 4.5 million people received emergency alerts on their phones warning of the incoming storm in the "largest real life use of the tool to date" on Thursday.

Further amber and yellow weather warnings for wind and rain have also been issued across Saturday and Sunday.