Gales batter the region

Thousands of homes across Shropshire were left without power as gale force winds battered the region, bringing down trees and power cables.

See also: Send us your gale photos

Emergency services received high volumes of calls as gusts of up to 61mph caused problems across the county, with about 5,000 homes left without power yesterday.

Nationally, strong winds caused problems, particularly across the north of the country. An 18 year old was feared dead after being swept out to sea when an inflatable dinghy capsized sparking a major search at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, last night.

And in Wolverhampton, occupants of a house had a lucky escape when a 30ft tree fell through the roof.

In Shropshire, Jonathan Smith, a spokesman for Midlands electricity distribution firm Central Networks, said thousands of homes were left without power in Herongate, Shrewsbury and in Madeley, with engineers almost certain the loss of power at both was caused by strong winds bashing trees against the lines.

He said: “In Shrewsbury, there were 1,967 properties without power at 11.10am - that was down to 690 by 12.30pm. All but four were back on by 1pm.

“In Madeley, Telford, there were 2,822 off at 12.30pm. They came back on at 1.20pm.”At Quatford, near Bridgnorth, 129 properties were affected after a power cable came down to the ground at about 2.30pm yesterday, with 108 back on by 5.30pm and power restored for the rest by 9.30pm.

A tree also came down affecting power cables on the A529 at Hinstock at about 4.15pm, with 89 properties left with power. All but eight were back on by 7.15pm.

In Badger, near Bridgnorth, a large tree collapsed on to two vehicles during the gales yesterday, causing minor damage to the vehicles and bringing down several telephone lines.

A Battle of Britain fly-past, which was due to take place as part of the National Service Day at the RAF Cosford Museum, was also cancelled due to high winds at Blackpool where the take-off would have occurred.

Fishing was also disrupted off Sydney Avenue, Shrewsbury, after a tree came down, while one also fell near flood defences at the town’s Longden Coleham.

Simon Alton, spokesman for Shropshire County Council, said he was not aware of any major road closures.