Winds of up to 70mph in Lincolnshire cause havoc

A cyclist was injured, homes were damaged and roads closed after winds of up to 70mph hit Lincolnshire in the early hours of Thursday.

Two houses, in Spalding and Skegness, lost their roofs and a stable block was blown across a road in Mawthorpe.

The A52 in Muston was closed in both directions because of recovery work and fallen power cables.

Police said a cyclist suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being hit by part of a tree near Belton.

A motorist escaped injury after his car collided with the same tree shortly afterwards, police said.

A motorist had a narrow escape after this tree was brought down near Belton

More than 40 trees were brought down across the county leading to several road closures.

Insp Gordon Richard, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "It's been an extremely busy night for the emergency services and the Highways Agency with ferocious and strong winds having battered the length and breadth of the county.

"I've not had a night like it. I've certainly had severe adverse weather over the past two years with snow and ice but I've not had ferocity of wind as we had last night. It's unheard of."

Roads affected included the A607 at Belton, the B1168 Church Street in Holbeach and the B6403 High Dike in Ancaster.