UK hit by heavy rain and strong winds

Key Points

• Heavy rain and strong winds are disrupting road, rail and sea travel ahead of the Christmas break in parts of the UK
• About 3,000 homes and businesses in Cornwall are without power, while 9,000 are without power in Berkshire
• The Met Office has issued amber - be prepared - warnings for rain in Wales, east, south-west and south-east England
• The Met Office has also issued amber warnings for wind for Northern Ireland, east and south-east England, London and north-west Scotland
• Many train services are affected and there is disruption on the roads, with people advised to make only "essential" journeys
• The QEII Bridge at Dartford in Kent and the Tamar Bridge, linking Devon and Cornwall, are both closed