High winds causing danger and disruption

A large tree branch blocking part of Queensway

The wild weather is causing problems throughout the borough - gusts of more than 60 mph have been reported.

One local woman has been injured after being blown off her feet. She said: "Came out of the leisure centre after swimming lessons and actually got blown off my feet. Have sore hands and a sore knee and very injured pride."

The high winds have blown roof tiles off buildings on Yorkshire Street in the town centre onto cars parked below

A large tree branch is blocking part of Queensway and a tree has been blown down on Turf Hill Road close to Kingsway Park High School. Branches are also understood to have been blown onto Edinburgh Way.

A lamp post has blown over on Atholl Drive, Heywood.

The A640 is closed both ways between the Milnrow junction and the Newhey Road junction in Milnrow, because of an overturned lorry.

A lorry has overturned on the M62 close to junction 22 causing tailbacks. The motorway is closed to high-sided vehicles.

Drivers are being asked to think about whether they need to travel and those that must are advised to take extra care this evening.

Residents are advised of the possibility of damage to property and are also asked to secure wheelie bins after reports of bins flying down roads into people and cars.

The fire brigade is reporting lots of calls about loose tiles and trees falling and are asking people to please think whether they need to call 999.

Metrolink has issued a weather warning: "Due to adverse weather conditions passengers are advised not to use Metrolink services unless absolutely necessary."

Northern Rail has said there are cancellations to services on all routes: "Train services running across the whole Northern Rail network may be cancelled or delayed at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed."

The Met Office said "lives could be in danger", and warned of widespread structural damage and loss of power supplies.

An amber warning  remains in place as the high winds are expected to persist through the night - the forecast is it will remain exceptionally windy with severe gales and damaging,  disruptive gusts.

It will be cold enough for it to turn frosty and icy in places.

Rain will turn to sleet and snow across hills of the north and west with blowing snow and blizzards on higher routes.

The winds will not be as severe tomorrow (Thursday 13 February) but it will remain gusty with gales and yet more wet weather from the west.