Christmas lights events cancelled as Storm Clodagh wreaks havoc

A flurry of local authorities have cancelled their Christmas lights switch-on celebrations as Britain takes further buffeting from Storm Clodagh.

Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire is the latest to pull the plug for fear of heavy rain and strong wind, joining a list of cancellations including Kilmarnock, Stoke, Maidenhead, Lichfield and Gosport.

Cheshire police have warned residents to only go out if necessary as Scotland and the North take a further buffeting.

Fallen trees on the line have caused delays between Carlisle and Lancaster on the Northern Rail service, while Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service reports attending eight weather-related incidents so far today.

Two people were rescued from a capsized boat in the mouth of the Tyne. Tynemouth RNLI recovered the boat, which had been overturned in the gale-force winds.

In Ireland, thousands of properties were left without electricity after Storm Clodagh battered the republic.

The gales are expected to peak this afternoon. Already, winds in Dundrennan, Scotland have reached 65 knots (75 mph), according to MeteoGroup.

A spokesman for the forecasters said: "It will be windy in the South too, with winds of 40 or 50 knots, and more in West Wales.

"There will be hill snow in south Scotland later and strong winds on the south coast."

The Met Office has given Scotland a yellow warning for snow tonight, and issued a wind warning to most of England tomorrow. Rain is expected in north-west England and parts of Wales.

Temperatures could drop to -3C in Scotland tonight, and 4C in south-east England.

Storm Clodagh is heading into the North Sea, said MeteoGroup, and wind will lessen over the next few days.