Rain and fierce winds are hitting parts of the UK, as what could be winter's worst storm moves in from the Atlantic.

Emergency services said trees had been uprooted and power lines brought down in south-west England, where winds have reached almost 80mph (130km/h).

Severe flood warnings have been issued for the Devon and Cornwall coast. In St Brides, Newport, 170 people were told to evacuate a caravan park overnight.

Meanwhile, forecasters say central Scotland will see blizzards and snow.

The Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from exposed coastal areas and to check for flood warnings in their area.

Garage roof

By 0445 GMT on Monday there were seven severe flood warnings in place in Devon and Cornwall and 44 other warnings in locations including southern England, and the Severn and Mersey estuaries.

The storm, which forecasters have been predicting for several days, has already left considerable damage and disruption in its wake, according to reports.

In Devon, winds have torn off a garage roof in Torquay, and a power line near Slapton was reported to have been brought down.

The Taymar Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles as winds in the Plymouth area reached speeds of 76mph.

In Cornwall, emergency planning teams provided stand-by supplies of sandbags and called in extra police to work overnight on Sunday and from early Monday.

Overnight, the fire service received calls of cables arcing in Porthleven, causing a brief power cut.

Dorset police also received reports of fallen trees and a telegraph pole.

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