Severe weather warnings issued as storms hit UK

Image: Strong winds are battering many parts of the UK

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across many parts of the UK, as storms batter the country.

In Scotland, warnings for both snow and high winds have been issued, and gales have gusted up to almost 100mph.

Storm-force winds and heavy rain are causing disruption in Wales, with fallen trees blocking some roads.

Travel is also being disrupted in Northern Ireland, with a warning of gusts up to 90mph.

Localised flooding and a significant drop in temperature are expected in parts of Wales and north-west England.

The weather conditions meant some East Coast main line trains between London and Scotland had to start and terminate at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Buses replaced trains on some East Coast services between London and Harrogate and Hull.

Travel has been disrupted in a number of other ways across the country, including:

Blizzards on the A9 at Aviemore in Scotland. The Tay and Forth bridges are closed and the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow is shut due to two overturned lorries. Commuters across Scotland have been urged to travel with caution. Rail services have been affected with ScotRail advising passengers not to travel. Glasgow Airport has warned that cancellations are expected due to high winds.

Police are advising motorists in Northern Ireland to take extra care and slow down. A number of roads have been closed including in Belfast and Londonderry. Some train, bus and ferry services have been affected.

In Wales, the A40 between Carmarthenshire and Powys and the A478 between Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are among roads affected. The Britannia Bridge at Anglesey has been closed to high-sided vehicles.

- BBC