Severe weather causes power cuts

Thousands of homes were off supply at one stage

Severe weather has left more than 100 Northern Ireland households without electricity.

At one stage several thousand homes were without power.

The main areas affected were Ballyclare and Ballymena, in County Antrim, and the Glens of Antrim.

Damage to an underground cable has also caused severe disruption to power supplies in the Braniel area of Belfast.

Northern Ireland Electricity said engineers have been working through the night in atrocious conditions and that power should be restored to most areas by Saturday afternoon.

The high winds and snow showers are expected to continue into Saturday evening.

The best advice is to slow down and give some extra time for your journey

John Wylie, MET Office

On Friday, power lines were brought down and many roads were described as treacherous.

A number of ferry sailings were also cancelled.

Engineers

Flights in and out of Belfast International Airport have been delayed on Saturday.

John Wylie of the MET Office said: "There are heavy snow showers, so while you may be driving along and conditions aren't too bad, those showers will bring visibility down very quickly."

With gusts of up to 60mph, he warned drivers of high sided vehicles to take extra care.

"The best advice is to slow down and give some extra time for your journey," he added.

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

Engineers were called to faults affecting hundreds of users in isolated parts of County Down and County Antrim on Friday.

Cancelled

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

Stena Line have suspended their services until late Saturday afternoon.

The Saturday midday Seacat service from Troon to Belfast has been cancelled.

P&0 are operating as normal, however there is no ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin.

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