Gale force winds hit region

Gale force winds across Cumbria and the south of Scotland are causing travel disruption.

Live updates

Power reconnected to region's homes

The final 70 homes which were left without power over the festive period have been reconnected.

Electricity North West confirmed all homes affected by last week's storms now have power.

The first reported power cuts happened on Thursday night and, at its peak, 15,000 homes were left without electricity.

A total of over 24,000 homes were affected with Carlisle, Workington and Penrith being the areas worst affected.

Seaton roof repair work to begin

Repair works are set to begin on several homes damaged by gale force winds in Seaton, west Cumbria. The roofs blew off three properties on Barncroft Avenue on Thursday night, another three were affected.

The housing associations which owns the properties says workmen will hopefully be on site later today.

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Third day without power for Cumbrians

Seventy homes and businesses in Cumbria remain without power for a third day.

Those affected are in the Workington, Carlisle and Penrith areas. Engineers from Electricity North West have been working since Friday to repair the damaged caused to lines by Thursday nights storm.

At its height more than 24,000 people were without electricity.

Elecricity North West say power should be restored to their remaining customers today.

"The restoration process was hindered on Friday as the high winds continued, meaning it was too dangerous for our engineers to climb the poles, but as the weather eased we were able to get out there and start getting people back on.

Our engineers were back on site first thing this morning. We understand how frustrating it is to be without power, especially during the festive period, but we would like to thank customers in Cumbria for their patience and support. If customers would like any further information they can call us 24/7 on 0800 195 4141."

– Spokeswoman, Electricity North West

Many homes in Cumbria still without power

Homes in Cumbria are facing another night without power, as engineers work to reconnect more than one and a half thousand properties. Extra staff have been brought in to fix power lines damaged after gale force winds battered the region.

Electricity North West are working with the British Red Cross to look after vulnerable people, meanwhile Scottish Power say all customers in Dumfries and Galloway should be reconnected. At it's peak, thousands in southern Scotland were without power. Samantha Parker has the latest.

Extra engineers brought in to reconnect homes still without power

More than 1,600 homes remain without power in Cumbria following high winds in the county. Electricity North West have drafted in extra engineers from Lancashire to help reconnect homes as quickly as possible.

Where possible we've reconnected homes. At it's height we had 20,000 without power. The conditions were too dangerous during the storm yesterday to have engineers up the poles which is why some home remain without supply.'We are working to get everyone back up and running as soon as possible and we understand this can be a frustrating time.'We have also been working with the British Red Cross to help any elderly or infirm customers that may need extra care and support.

– Jane Fleetwood, Electricity North West

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Hotel offer for Seaton residents affected by storm damage

Home Group, which manages the properties in Seaton which were damaged after roofs blew off, has offered to pay for residents affected by the storm to stay in a hotel until the damage is repaired.

The roofs of two houses were damaged as well as the chimney stack on a third house. A further three houses were damaged as a result of this.

Six of our properties on Barncroft Avenue have been damaged after being hit by winds of 80 - 90mph. Extreme weather conditions such as this are very rare but unfortunately on this occasion roofs and chimney stacks have been damaged. Home Group staff have been on site today to reassure residents and offer assistance. Temporary measures have been taken to ensure residents safety, and permanent repairs will be undertaken as soon as the wind slows and it's safe for workmen to be up on the roofs. Home Group has offered to pay for affected residents to stay in hotels until the damage is repaired.

– Louise Barkes, Home Group
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