Festive events and travel hit due to winds in Kent

The Christmas Fair 2024 in Canterbury Cathedral precinct. A woman taking a photo of another woman in front of a giant illuminated star with fairground rides in the backgroundImage source, Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images
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Christmas events have been curtailed across Kent

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Disruption is being felt across Kent in high winds caused by Storm Bert.

Trains have been disrupted and organisers of Christmas events are changing their plans due to concerns about the weather.

Southeastern rail services from Ramsgate to Canterbury and Dover were cancelled and delayed after a fallen tree blocked the line at Thanet Parkway on Saturday morning.

A Met Office warning for wind, external came into force at 09:00 GMT on Saturday across south-east England.

The Met Office said strong winds due to Storm Bert were likely to cause "dangerous coastal conditions" and disruption.

The disrupted railway services on Saturday morning have since returned to normal.

The switching on of Christmas lights on Saturday in both Folkestone and Deal were cancelled due to the weather conditions.

The Pantiles market on Sunday should be going ahead, organisers said, although they will update their social media if this changes.

The festive fair at Margate lifeboat station, due to be held on Sunday, has been rescheduled for 1 December.

Meanwhile, the Carnival of the Baubles in Ashford is going ahead but has been scaled back.

The parade at 17:00 was cancelled but indoor events were due to go ahead in County Square.

The weather warning is in place across the county until 21:00 on Sunday.

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