Windy Weather Batters Britain As Easter Looms

Winds of up to 70mph battered parts of England and Wales overnight, causing widespread travel disruption and flooding in some regions.

In the northwest, firefighters spent three hours removing a 20ft tree which had fallen onto a house in Leigh - ruining a family's plans to go on holiday.

And at an Esso refinery in Hampshire, a crewman was rescued from a sinking tug by a heroic employee who jumped into the water to save him.

Without hesitation, he swam to the capsized vessel and smashed a window to help the trapped crew member, who only had access to a small pocket of air inside.

All of the employees have been accounted for, according to the coastguard - although one person had to be treated for hypothermia following the incident.

Earlier, journeys on the West Coast Main Line between Warrington and the Lake District were delayed by up to an hour - while trees on the line caused considerable disruption between Exeter and Taunton, Salisbury and Romsey, and Aylesbury and London.

Several bridges on the motorways were closed as a precaution, including the Dartford Crossing on the M25, the Severn Bridge on the M48, and the Ouse Bridge on the M62.

There was also bad news for fans of the Thunderbirds, as an event to promote the new series on the River Thames was cancelled.

Although it will "gradually quieten down" as the Easter weekend approaches, the Met Office predicts the strongest winds are yet to be seen in northwest England.

And, even though it is the first day of April on Wednesday, wintry showers are expected over higher ground in Scotland, spreading into northern England and parts of north Wales.

Sky News weather producer Becky Yussuf said: "The unsettled, wet and windy weather will continue through until Good Friday.

"High pressure will build across the UK and Ireland over the Easter weekend, bringing largely dry and settled conditions.

"There is expected to be a lot of cloud around, and so brightness might be at a bit of a premium.

"Temperatures will be around average for the time of year, with highs of 14C (57F)."