Relatives in anxious wait for news after hurricane

Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, said there had been "total devastation"

A man who has been unable to contact his relatives in Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa says he is hoping for the best.

At least five people have been confirmed dead on the island following the category five storm on Tuesday afternoon.

Sam Johnson, from Bournemouth, says he last heard from his brother, Barry, and niece, Peaches, on Monday.

He said: "It's difficult to get any information through the family or from Jamaica - phones are ringing but we're not getting through."

Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, said there had been "total devastation", with "80-90% of roofs destroyed", along with hospitals, libraries, police stations, port houses and other infrastructure.

About three-quarters of the country lost electricity and many areas are without phone coverage.

Mr Johnson, whose relatives live in Point Hill, in the centre of the island, said: "I last heard the day before the storm - I was speaking to my brother and Peaches to find out what they were doing and how they were preparing.

"She was busy trying to protect her home.

"My brother, Barry, he was saying he didn't really have anywhere he could get off to and he was going to hold on where he was.

"We've got a lot of family who have lost property and animals in Black River in St Elizabeth as well.

"I'm just hopeful they are OK - you just hope for the best."

The hurricane was the strongest storm to strike the Caribbean island in modern history, sustaining winds of 298km/h (185mph) at its peak.