Severe weather on cards for NI

Recent strong winds caused damage

Severe weather is said to be on the cards for Northern Ireland this weekend after strong winds caused disruption across the province on Friday.

Power lines were brought down and many roads were described as treacherous.

A number of ferry sailings were also cancelled.

The MET office has issued a severe weather alert with storm force winds, hail and snow forecast for Friday night through to Saturday morning.

A spokesperson said winds had been recorded at 82mph at Malin Head on the north coast and were more than 60mph across most of the province.

About 1,500 customers were left without power for a time on Friday evening, the bulk in counties Omagh and Antrim.

This figure included about 450 customers off in Holywood, County Down, due to an intermittent fault.

Earlier, engineers were called to faults affecting hundreds of users in isolated parts of County Down and County Antrim earlier on Friday.

Cancelled

Faults can be reported to Northern Ireland Electricity on 08457 643 643.

Meanwhile, Stena Line said that due to extreme weather conditions all sailings on the Belfast to Stranraer route have been cancelled until further notice.

Passengers travelling over the next 24 hours are asked to keep in touch with Ferrycheck on 08705 755 755 for the latest information.

Stranraer-Belfast HSS services have been suspended.

A number of sailings between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire were also cancelled.

Seacat's sailing from Belfast to Troon at 1600 GMT on Friday did not go ahead.

P&O's Larne-Fleetwood services are subject to disruption because of adverse weather conditions.

Scattered

On Wednesday, high winds caused damage to the electricity network leaving up to 10,000 homes without power at the height of the storms.

Northern Ireland Electricity said the problems were scattered throughout the province.

Meanwhile, strong winds caused severe disruption in the north of England and Scotland.

Gusts of more than 70 miles an hour have been recorded.

Traffic on several motorways has been disrupted by fallen trees and overturned lorries, while railways and airports have also been affected.