Storm batters Britain, power lines snapped

There was a massive power failure in England and Wales on Monday morning with winds blowing at a speed of 80mph battered the country as winter's worst storm moved in from the Atlantic.

The strong winds uprooted trees and snapped power lines in south-west England leading to road blockade at various places.

Severe flood warnings have also been issued for the Devon and Cornwall coast while 170 people had to evacuate a caravan park overnight near Newport in south Wales.

Gusting winds hit London as the early-morning rush hour began with Heathrow being buffeted by 42mph winds.

The Environment Agency has issued seven severe flood warnings, 48 flood warnings and 53 flood watches in the UK.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown held a crisis telephone conference last night with officials from the Environment Agencies, the Met Office and relevant government departments, as well as the emergency services and armed forces to take stock of the situation.

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said there were 4,500 homes without electricity across the region after falling trees crashed through power lines.

He said engineers were working to restore power supply at the earliest.