TORRENTIAL rain and gale force winds whipped up by Storm Alex battered Dorset.

Hundreds of homes were hit with power cuts after branches fell on overhead lines, a number of roads had to be closed due to flooding and transport services were affected throughout the morning.

Council bosses even warned of possible risk to life along the coast.

Buses had to be diverted the long way in and out of Purbeck after the Sandbanks Ferry was suspended due to rough conditions at the entrance of Poole Harbour.

In Swanage, an Environment Agency flood warning remained in place for much of the day.

Purbeck police had to close off part of the town centre after sea defences were breached leading to significant flooding.

Meanwhile, a Met Office amber alert for rain remains in force ­ – for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and much of Dorset – between noon today and 6am tomorrow morning.

The Met Office says many places will see between 25 to 50mm of rainfall with potential for as much as 70 to 90mm of rainfall in some parts of the south west.

Yesterday, in Swanage, Purbeck police took the decision to warn people to stay away.

A police spokesman said: "Do not travel to the seafront due to tidal surges."

The High Street, between Park Road and Swanage Pier – and part of Seymer Road – were closed due to flooding.

In Bournemouth, yesterday morning, sections of the pathway linking Upper Gardens to Coy Pond were also impassable due to flood water.

Flooding also took place on the West Stafford Bypass, near Dorchester.

Speaking about the conditions expected throughout the weekend, Dorset Council highways and environment member, Cllr Ray Bryan, said: "We want residents and visitors to stay safe and well.

"With winds this strong and with the amount of rain forecast, there is a possibility of risk to life, especially along the coast.

“We will be working alongside our partners to make sure everyone is as safe as possible this weekend, but our advice is to stay away from flooded areas and take extra care if you head to the coast.”

Some 433 homes lost power in the Wimborne and Blandford area yesterday morning after a branch came into contact with an overhead line.

SSE engineers were on site after the power outage was reported at 6.07am.

A spokesman for SSE told the Daily Echo that power was back on for the affected customers at 7.42am.

The spokesman confirmed: "A branch came into contact with an overhead line.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their patience."

Meanwhile, three homes experienced a power cut in Ringwood as well earlier in the morning.