FLOODING and gale force winds continued to batter parts of Dorset yesterday, with residents warned to stay away from coastal areas.

The Met Office issued another warning for wind, with parts of Christchurch Quay and seafront flooded after high tide.

But some homeowners in Sandbanks were celebrating the impact of Storm Eleanor, after a blown down tree increased the value of their properties overnight by £1m.

Four luxury houses in the millionaire's enclave in Poole now have unobstructed views across the harbour following the loss of the 50ft tall conifer.

Experts say the value of each property has risen by at least £250,000 thanks to the natural event.

One of the residents, who did not wish to be named, said when she opened the curtains and saw the fallen tree she thought 'all my dreams have come true'.

Homeowners on the exclusive peninsula of Sandbanks pay a premium for property that has views of Poole Harbour.

In the past some residents have been prosecuted by the local council for deliberately felling protected trees that interrupted their vista and limited the value of their property.

The conifer was the only large tree in a triangle of parkland on Shore Road.

It had stood between the harbour's edge and four new homes on Shore Road, that are worth about £1.8m each.

Adrian Dunford, of Tailor Made estate agents which sold numbers 20 and 21 Shore Road recently.

The other two properties, at 22 and 23 Shore Road, have just been built by a developer who will live in one and has just sold the other.

Mr Dunford said the value of all four properties was now in excess of £2m.

He said: "The tree was a large, significant conifer in an area of parkland gifted to the people of Poole.

"I would say there are four houses there that will see their value increase now.

"That's the view everyone wants - it's a frontline view straight out towards Brownsea Island and over Poole Harbour."

Sandbanks Ferry was suspended for part of the day due to the strong winds.

High tide at Avon Beach saw waves reach the promenade, where work is due to start on a project to raise the prom.

And in Beaulieu, the High Street was blocked and there was slow traffic due to flooding near B3056 Palace Lane.

Sopers Lane in Christchurch also remained closed after a tree fell, hitting a building on Wednesday.

Scaffolding is due to be erected today.