Cumbria power cuts as Storm Debi hits

A tree came down across the A684 near Kendal

Thousands of homes in Cumbria have been left without power during Storm Debi.

Although services have been restored to the majority of customers, Electricity North West said there were areas still without power on Monday evening.

Faults were reported in Windermere where about 4,200 properties were affected, with 2,200 homes hit in the Kendal area.

Paul Bircham, the firm's director, said engineers would "work through the night" to restore power.

• Weather warnings across UK as Storm Debi hits

Homes in parts of South Lakeland were without power, with almost 400 customers in Urswick near Dalton-in-Furness affected due to an overhead line coming down.

People there have been warned services may not be restored until Tuesday.

"We have had large number of customers without power [throughout Monday] but with rapid switching we have been able to restore power to the majority," Mr Bircham told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We now have to repair damage to the network. There are a number of different faults."

He described conditions as "very challenging" for the team to work in, and high speed winds were making it difficult to work at height.

"We must ensure they are able to work safely," he added.

Engineers were scheduled to be on duty at first light on Tuesday morning if repairs are still required.

A tree also came down on the B5342 at Chapel Stile near Ambleside

A Met Office Yellow warning for wind was in place until 21:00 GMT as the storm made its way across the North of England and into the North Sea.

A flood warning was issued for Keswick Campsite, with 16 alerts issued by the Environment Agency elsewhere.

Cumbria Police has warned drivers to take care in what were "challenging conditions".

Part of the A65 was blocked in both directions on Monday evening, between Halfpenny and Summerlands, due to a fallen tree in the road.

Westmorland and Furness Council said Barrow-in-Furness had seen the "harshest effects" of Storm Debi - the fourth named storm of the season - and it encouraged residents to avoid travel where possible.

Barrow Town Hall was damaged by high winds, with masonry falling on to Duke Street, closing part of the pedestrianised area as a precaution.

Pennington Church of England School in Ulverston has also been closed due to storm damage and is expected to reopen on Wednesday.

Horse racing at Carlisle was also abandoned on Monday due to heavy rain.