Storm Darragh causes disruption across region

Many trees have fallen across the country including in Liverpool (above)

Storm Darragh has caused major disruption across the north-west of England.

A man in his 40s died when a tree fell on his van on the A59 near Longton, Lancashire, while flights were postponed at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.

A number of trees were reported fallen across the region, and the historic Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool - the last to take place at Goodison Park - had to be called off.

And around the UK, winds have reached up to 93mph (150 kmh).

A van driver died after a tree fell across the A59 in Longton, Lancashire

Rugby star Kevin Sinfield managed to go ahead with the last leg in his 230-mile fundraising run in aid of people living with motor neurone disease (MND).

As part of this week-long Running Home for Christmas challenge, he is running from Manchester to his Saddleworth home.

Other events that were due to take place across the region were cancelled, including a garden event at Preston's Avenham and Miller Parks on Saturday.

It was still expected to go ahead on Sunday.

Weather forecasters say yellow and amber alerts of strong winds remain in place until Sunday morning.

Horse racing at Liverpool's Aintree Racecourse was cancelled as some of the rails were blown aside in the winds

Following the cancellation of the Merseyside derby, Everton captain Seamus Coleman invited a teenage fan who flew from Australia for the match to the club's training ground.

Mackenzie, aged 15, used up his savings to fulfil his dream of watching an Everton v Liverpool match at Goodison Park, before the Blues relocate to their new stadium in 2025.

In a video message, Coleman said he hoped it would "make up for some of the disappointment", adding: "I am sure you will be very disappointed today – we all are, all of us Evertonians are, we were all looking forward to game."