Circus and safari among events closed due to winds

Giffords Circus has cancelled its Tuesday show due to the expected strong winds

A circus, safari park and local parks have closed for safety as strong winds sweep across the region.

A Met Office yellow warning for strong winds is in force until 18:00 BST across the southern half of the UK as an area of low pressure passes close by.

Gloucestershire business Giffords Circus announced on social media it had cancelled Monday's show and Wiltshire safari park Longleat said it had closed for the day for safety. The safari park offered refunds or free rebookings for anyone affected.

Westonbirt and Batsford arboretums have also been closed, as well as Forestry England's car parks across the Forest of Dean.

A Forestry England spokesperson said: "Once it is safe to do so, we will reopen the sites, but this will be after our rangers have been out to check that sites and trails are safe."

"We will update our social media and website as we go."

Visitors have been warned to "please take care during or after the stormy weather".

Longleat announced it would be closed on Monday

A spokesperson for Giffords Circus said it would be "be raring to go again" on Thursday at Fennells Farm.

Longleat said it planned to reopen on Tuesday.

"We really appreciate your understanding at this time and look forward to welcoming you to Longleat soon," it said.