Wind batters the county

Shropshire and Mid Wales were hit by more weather misery today as storms brought down trees and power lines, leaving roads blocked.Emergency services were dealing with the aftermath of more devastating weather, including a rescue operation in Aston, near Wem, where a cow was trapped by a fallen tree. The village was also hit by fallen poles and power lines.

Weathermen said the winds that battered the region overnight were almost as bad as the gales that hit the area in November.

The cow, which calved in the night, was trapped between a tree and a fence at about 7.30am. Firefighters and the RSPCA were called to help remove branches and free the animal. Experts said it was thought the cow and calf would be OK.

Aston was battered by the winds overnight and roads in the village were closed after an electricity pole and power lines were knocked to the ground just after 4am.

Strong winds also brought down trees near Marshbrook in the early hours, temporarily closing the A49 near Church Stretton.

Highways officers were called to the scene and were able to quickly clear the road. Trees also came down in Bucknell and one came down on the A458 near Bridgnorth at about 8am.

Police said the tree blocked part of the carriageway near the Craven Dunhill factory just outside Bridgnorth.

Today Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said the county had been hit by winds of up to 45 miles per hour. He said: “It is almost as bad as a November gale, the maximum gusts were up to 66 miles an hour in north Wales, with winds of between 40 and 45 miles per hour in Shropshire.

“It will be slightly better this weekend, but it looks like there will be more heavy downpours on Monday and Tuesday.”

Heavy rain in the mountains left the River Severn on the border of Shropshire and Powys at bursting point today.

The Association of British Insurers has estimated that the recent flooding - classed as a one-in-150 year event by the Environment Agency - could cost the industry about £1 billion.

Civic leaders in Ludlow have launched the Ludlow Relief In Need fund to help local people. It has already topped £10,000.

• Have you taken pictures of the storm damage? Send your photos to internet@shropshirestar.co.uk including your name, address and a picture description and we’ll publish the best here.

By Andrew Rogers