Closures and cancellations as storm hits Midlands

Birmingham Botanical Gardens was closed to protect visitors amid Storm Amy

An artisan market is among events cancelled as Storm Amy brings rain and strong winds to large parts of the West Midlands.

The autumn market, which was due to be held at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Saturday, has been postponed by a week until 11 October. The gardens themselves are also closed due to visitor safety.

Other markets in the region, including Tamworth Market and Stratford-upon-Avon's Rother Street Market, have also closed.

Meanwhile, some train services have been hit, with West Midlands Railway warning part of its south Cross City Line was closed by a tree on the line, with a rail replacement bus service being brought in.

The rail operator said its rail tickets were also being accepted on local bus services.

The replacement transport was to operate between Longbridge and Bromsgrove and Redditch, it said on X, adding replacement buses were also "shuttling between Droitwich and Worcester/Hereford".

Organisers said the artisan market at Birmingham Botanical Gardens had been rescheduled to Saturday 11 October, bringing "delicious food" and activities for children

The West Midlands is included in the Met Office's yellow warning, which is in force until 19:00 BST.

Wind gusts between 45-55mph are expected, occasionally going up to 65mph in more exposed areas.

These wind speeds have the potential to bring down tree debris and possibly whole trees, leading to power cuts and travel disruption.

Organiser LSD Promotions, which runs the Tamworth and Stratford markets, said it was "not safe to proceed" with Saturday's events and on Friday it closed all trading markets.

Meanwhile, Moseley Park was closed on Saturday, with its trust warning people not to access it for their safety due to strong winds.

Elsewhere, several parkruns were cancelled in Shropshire on Saturday - including Haughmond Hill, Ludlow, Alderford Lake and Telford.

Ludlow Castle shut to visitors, and full site closures were implemented at Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury, and its Sunnycroft site in Wellington.

The British Ironworks Centre, which features dozens of giant outdoor sculptures, closed its outdoor areas for visitors' safety.

Tamworth Street Market is amongst those that have closed