Storm Barney has swept into Dorset and the New Forest, with a weather warning for strong wind issued.

The Met Office issued the yellow warning for Tuesday, from 3pm until 11.30pm but was this morning extended it until 2am on Wednesday.

Gusts of up to 70mph have been forecast, with people advised that travel could be disrupted and damage caused by fallen trees and other structures.

On Tuesday evening there were reports that a tree had come on the A35 heading out of Christchurch, near the Cat and Fiddle pub.

Hampshire Police said that the road was cleared shortly after 9pm.

It comes as Travel Dorset warned of the possibility of trees coming down and disruption around the area.

 

This morning, Brittany Ferries revised their service between Cherbourg and Poole, bringing the morning sailing forward by 15 minutes.

In Bournemouth, winds of 27mph with gusts of up to 50mph are forecast, and in Swanage winds of 30mph with gusts of 55 mph.

A spokesperson said: "West to southwesterly gales and locally severe gales are likely to sweep eastwards across parts of Wales, southern, central and eastern England later on Tuesday.

"Gusts could reach 60-70 mph inland and possibly 80 mph along exposed coasts, particularly Wales and through the Bristol Channel."

 

The chief forecaster added: "Be aware of the risk of disruption to travel and that gusts of this strength could bring down trees and lead to some damage to weakened structures.

"A deepening area of low pressure is likely to track east across southern Ireland and then central parts of the UK during Tuesday afternoon and evening, with a swathe of very strong winds potentially developing on the southern flank of the low.

"At this stage, the worst of the winds are expected to reach West Wales mid to late afternoon, sweeping rapidly eastwards during the evening. There remains a good deal of uncertainty in this evolution and particularly the location of the strongest winds, so this warning will be kept under review and updated as necessary."

The warning covers the local authority areas of Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.