Damage and disruption as Storm Darragh hits South

One of the many fallen trees across the region has blocked the A31 westbound carriage

The south of England is experiencing travel disruptions, road closures and power cuts caused by strong winds as Storm Darragh sweeps across the region.

A gust of 77.2mph has been recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight and 62.6mph hour at Southampton Oceanography Centre.

Thousands of power cuts have affected homes across Oxfordshire and Hampshire.

Train services have been disrupted on Great Western Railway (GWR) and Chiltern Railways. South Western Railway (SWR) has warned that there is no service between Weymouth and Poole.

Fallen trees have also caused damages to homes

A car damaged by a falling tree

The A34 near Winchester has been closed from junction 9 to the junction with the A272 at Three Maids Hill since 22:30 GMT on 6 December.

National Highways said that was to clear trees in danger of falling on the carriageway.

"Operatives doing that work will be working at strict standards and that's why it's going to be difficult to give an exact timeline for when we think we might complete that work," said Sean Martell, head of service delivery in the South East.

Fallen trees have also caused damages to homes, public buildings and cars.

Southampton parkrun organisers cancelled the event for participants' safety, but some still got out to help clear the roads

SSE said the gale-force winds had hit its Southern network and would continue to do so into Sunday.

The company's website shows more than 2,500 impacted homes across Oxfordshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

A resident near Romsey said her family had had a power loss for a couple of hours.

"It keeps flicking on and off," she said.

"I wouldn't advise anybody to go outside - I got blown sideways just having a look to see how strong it was."

There are no reports of major incidents across Oxfordshire but the county council advised that river levels remained high following recent rainfall.

This large tree blocked Brading Down Road on the Isle of Wight

'Avoid travel if possible'

GWR and Chiltern Railways have appealed to customers to "avoid travel if possible".

Cross-Solent ferry crossings have delays and cancellations.

Wightlink Ferries said it was operating on both Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Lymington-Yarmouth routes but some Portsmouth-Fishbourne might experience delays of up to two hours.

The operator said those who do not wish to travel today could amend or cancel their bookings without charge.

Red Funnel ferries operating between Southampton and East Cowes has suspended its services until further notice.

The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning until 18:00 GMT on Sunday

Many community and festive events are being postponed or cancelled, such as Wantage market.

Football cancellations include Oxford United's trip to Plymouth Argyle. Banbury United's game against Ketteting and the match Yeovil v Weymouth in the FA Trophy.

All boys' and girls' matches in Oxfordshire have also been cancelled.

The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning until 18:00 GMT on Sunday.