Dorset firefighters rescue 30 people from flood waters

Fire crews rescued drivers from their cars in Sturminster Newton

The Bakers Arms Roundabout on the A35 near Poole was partially blocked

A tree came down across Penn Hill Avenue in Poole but caused relatively little damage to properties

Fire crews in Dorset rescued 30 people trapped in their cars by flood water after strong winds and torrential rain.

Firefighters helped people in Sturminster Newton, Blandford, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Wimborne.

The fire service said it received more than 300 weather-related 999 calls in the 24 hours from Monday evening.

The River Stour burst its banks in Sturminster Newton, Wimborne and Ferndown.

Rail disruption continued with South West Trains running a reduced service on Christmas Eve because of the adverse weather conditions.

A total of 60 fallen trees were cleared from lines with nine areas of localised flooding reported across the network.

Services did resume between London Waterloo and Bournemouth during Christmas Eve morning, but only a shuttle service was able to run between Bournemouth and Weymouth.

First Great Western services through Dorset were also suspended due to flooding on the line between Weymouth and Yeovil Pen Mill.

Scottish and Southern Energy said about 16,000 homes in Bournemouth and Poole were left without power after gale-force winds caused damage to the network overnight on Monday

Engineers worked from first light, assessing the damage and carrying out repairs.

On Monday, strong winds and heavy rain lead to "dangerous conditions" along the Dorset coast, the Environment Agency said, with wind speeds recorded at up to 64mph in Portland.