Storm Darragh brings flood alerts and power cuts

Strong winds during Storm Darragh left homes without power in Lincolnshire and several flood alerts have been issued.

The National Grid said 300 properties in Belchford and Fulletby lost power on Saturday night. It confirmed engineers had restored power on Sunday afternoon.

Christmas markets in Louth and Horncastle, due to have taken place on Sunday, were cancelled, while Santa runs in Grantham, Skegness and Stamford were postponed until 15 December.

As of 15:00 GMT, the Environment Agency had seven flood alerts in place across the county. A Met Office yellow warning for wind is in force until 18:00 GMT.

On Saturday, Lincolnshire Police said it had received about 100 calls related to Storm Darragh. The force said trees had blocked roads in the county in Skellingthorpe, Market Deeping, Holbeach, Old Leake and Welbourn.

Nick Wells, organiser of the Stamford Santa run, said that the host venue, Burghley Estates, had taken the decision to close Burghley Park due to the risk of branches falling from trees. The event has been rescheduled for the following Sunday.

The National Trust's Belton Estate and the Walled Garden Baumber, near Horncastle, were also closed on Sunday due to the high winds.

Lincoln Castle was closed on Sunday while they assessed possible damage to the wooden structure of the gate, but the council said they hoped to open as normal tomorrow.

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