READER VIDEOS: Prom closed as winds batter Fylde

The tramway has now also been closed from Starr Gate to Gynn Square.

Cocker Square was closed for a short time earlier today due to concerns over the safety of Illuminations features, and a short stretch of Queens Promenade opposite St Stephen’s Road in North Shore is currently closed.

Blackpool police are warning people to take care and are undertaking regular patrols of the Promenade.

However so far there have been no reports of flooding.

A massive power cut caused by the bad weather has been affecting residents around Preesall.

Electricity North West said a fault was reported at 11.30am and engineers are on site dealing with it.

A spokesman for the company said: “774 customers have been affected by the fault, which was due to the weather. High winds are affecting overhead power lines.

“We have got 39 customers back on and the rest will go on as soon as possible.”

It is not known how quickly the fault will be fixed but power is expected to return to all properties later today.

Floodgates were closed yesterday in Blackpool and Cleveleys in preparation for the storm which has left 20,000 homes without power in Scotland.

The barriers along the seafront - from Kingsway to the Five Bar Gate near Rossall School - were shut as a precaution as the Met Office today advised of strengthening westerly winds spreading north in the early hours of today.

Gusts in the range of 60mph to 70mph are possible along the coast, and over higher ground.

A wind speed of 72mph has been recorded at Rossall Point on Thursday morning.

The Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry is out of action until the storm has passed.

Freeport Fleetwood was closed in the early part of Thursday due to the strong winds.

By noon the leisure was still closed to the public but it was hoped the outlet could re-open in the afternoon.

Amanda Elliott, deputy centre manager, said the decision was taken for health and safety reasons.

She said: “We have not taken this decision because of the strong winds alone.

“There are a number of roof tiles lifting because of the conditions, and we believe it is not safe for people to be walking about.

“However, we are reviewing the decision on a constant basis and we understand this weather may not last too much longer.

“We are hopeful we can re-open the centre later in the day.”

In Scotland,travellers face severe disruption, with many roads and bridges closed or affected by debris.

Police Scotland warned that conditions would be “extremely poor” throughout the morning and advised motorists to take care.

Train operator ScotRail has cancelled services on more than 20 routes.

Trains that do operate will be restricted to a 50mph speed limit, following advice issued by Network Rail.

In the Highlands, gusts of 93mph have been recorded at Altnaharra, rising to 106mph at Glen Ogle and 114mph on the slopes of Aonach Mor near Fort William.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 11 flood warnings throughout Scotland.

Send us your weather pictures to [email protected] or tweet them to us @The_Gazette