More gales on way for South-East

The gale-force winds and torrential rain battering the country - killing seven people in the last 24 hours in the worst storms in 10 years - will continue into the middle of next week, the Met Office warned today

Although a lull is expected today and tomorrow, winds of up to 50mph will return by Thursday.

"There's no sign of this unsettled period ending before the middle of next week," said a Met Office spokesman. "The strongest winds are likely to be on Thursday when they could touch gale-force in coastal areas of the South-East."

Engineers worked throughout the night to restore power to 90,000 homes left without electricity, with Scotland and the north of England worst effected. Winds of 120mph were recorded on the top of Ben Nevis.

Police closed a number of roads due to structural damage and falling trees. Lorries overturned by the gales, forced the closure of motorways. And a 50mph speed limit was in force on parts of the railway network.

Many roads were littered with debris, including fallen traffic lights, and overturned cars blocked several routes. The Environment Agency had 23 flood warnings in force, affecting areas in Wales, the Midlands, Cumbria and Buckinghamshire.