Storm Bella: Weather warnings and 100mph winds recorded in UK

Storm Bella hit the UK on Saturday bringing heavy rain and severe winds of over 100mph to parts of the UK, the Met Office has said.

A gust of 106mph wind was recorded at The Needles, on the Isle of Wight.

There are flood warnings in place, after many areas of England and Wales were affected by heavy rain in the run up to Christmas Eve.

There are now yellow warnings for snow and ice - meaning disruption is likely - for parts of Wales, north-west England, Scotland and the whole of Northern Ireland.

South Western Railway said that heavy rain had "flooded the railway" between Bournemouth and Southampton, meaning that there might be cancellations and delays to train journeys there.

88 flood warnings have been issued in England, six in Wales and 12 in Scotland, meaning that flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Severe flood warnings are still in place in Northamptonshire for the River Nene, where more than 1,000 people were evacuated on Christmas Day because of flooding.

In Bedfordshire people in more than 1,300 properties were advised to leave their homes as flood levels rose on Christmas Day.

Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson said water levels peaked at 2:00 AM in the town, but said he had received confirmation that the levels were now going down.

The Environment Agency said there had been heavy rain around the Great Ouse and more was expected, bringing "significant disruption to the community" and also possibly affecting electricity services.

Fire crews used boats to rescue people throughout Christmas Day, with nine people and three dogs led to safety in the village of Harrold.

Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson said the floods were set to be the worst seen in Bedfordshire for several years, and said "we are strongly encouraging people who are at risk of flooding and have been contacted to leave if they can do so safely".

Storm Bella is the second storm to be officially named by the UK's Met Office this winter.