Stormy weather causes disruption across South East

A ship which took part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant was blown off its moorings as strong winds and heavy rain swept across the South East.

The medieval replica Matthew was blown across the quay at Sandwich, Kent, at about 05:00 BST and on to mud opposite.

The crew lashed its masts to trees on the bank to prevent it going on to its side and hoped to refloat it on the incoming tide during the morning.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning across the South East.

Gusts of up to 50mph were forecast inland, with 60-65mph expected in exposed coastal areas. Winds were expected to peak in the early afternoon.

'Two-hour delays'

The Highways Agency warned drivers of high-sided vehicles to avoid the A2 and A20 in east Kent.

The Port of Dover said sea conditions in the Channel were rough, with gale force winds. Ferries to Calais and Dunkirk were running but with delays.

In Surrey, rush-hour trains were delayed between Haslemere and London Waterloo and between Guildford and Reading because of fallen trees on the lines.

The Highways Agency warned motorists to avoid a section of the M25 in Surrey on Friday after an incident caused delays of up to two hours on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junctions 7 and 6 near Godstone.

A spokesman said traffic was queuing back to junction 10 on the M25 and junction 9 on the northbound M23, near Gatwick.

Fallen trees were reported on roads in Kent and Surrey.

The A3 southbound was closed at Godalming, Surrey, due to flooding between the A283 and B3001 at 23:00 BST on Thursday.