Kitesurfer dies after beach incident as Storm Erik batters Britain with gusts of up to 80mph

A kitesurfer has died after an incident on a beach in north Devon, as Storm Erik hits Britain with gusts of up to 80mph.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the man, who has not been identified, was fatally injured in the incident on the beach at Saunton Sands, near Barnstaple on Saturday morning - although a spokesman would not confirm whether the death was weather-related.

He was airlifted to North Devon District Hospital but confirmed dead later.A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "This incident is not being treated as suspicious at this stage."

The spokesman added that the age of the deceased was not being released until their next of kin has been informed.

On Friday morning a 50-year-old man died on the A384 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, and in Wales a van driver was killed after he collided with a fallen tree on the B4306 between Pontyberem and Llannon in west Wales.

It came as high winds on Saturday caused trees to fall and brought disruption on several roads, and emergency services warned motorists to take care when driving through the difficult conditions.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds on Saturday covering much of Wales, central and northern England and southern Scotland.

A separate yellow weather warning for heavy rain was issued for northern Scotland.

But hardy souls in West Sussex welcomed the weather, taking to the seas for a windsurfing session at Bracklesham Bay.

Forecasters expect the blustery conditions to die down later this weekend, so the windsurfers seized the opportunity to enjoy the waves.

The Met Office said wind speeds of 75mph were recorded in Powys, Wales, and 74mph in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, adding that across the rest of the country gusts between 40 and 50mph were typical.

London North Eastern Railway said an 80mph speed restriction was placed on trains between Leeds and York because of the wind, meaning journeys were delayed.

Speed restrictions were also placed on trains between Newcastle and Carlisle, according to rail operator Northern.

Traffic on the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames was restricted to two lanes and speeds of 30mph because of the weather, Highways England said, and the A20 near Dover remains closed while a CCTV mast that had been seen swaying in the wind above the carriageway is repaired.

One lane was closed on the Severn Bridge between South Wales and south-west England due to the strong winds, and the A548 was closed in both directions around Mostyn, north Wales, because a tree had fallen across the carriageway.

The blustery conditions are expected to die down later this weekend but further difficult conditions are forecast.

On Saturday night there will be some rain across southern England with snow falling over hills in places.

The storm's strongest recorded gust on Friday was 84mph at Capel Curig, in Wales, the Met Office said.

Footage showed a British Airways plane forced to abandon its initial landing at Heathrow airport after strong winds put the aircraft off-balance seconds before it was about to touch down.

Also on Friday a tree fell on to a double-decker bus in Dorset, but no injuries were reported.

On Sunday, rain and snow over the hills in the south is expected to clear east with blustery showers following.

Conditions in the north will be brighter, with some rain and gales possible later on.