Fifty boats smashed up by winds

Dozens of boats were damaged in the storm

About 50 small boats have been damaged after strong winds in Gwynedd reached up to 45 mph.

The coastguard at Abersoch had to persuade people trying to retrieve their boats during the storm to return to land for their own safety.

Debris has littered the beach and the coastguard has been stopping people entering the water until it is cleared.

About 12 boats have been seriously damaged, according to South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club.

Club captain Peter Richards said a substantial number more have been slightly damaged in the winds.

Extreme weather destroys small boats

He said racing in competitions on Tuesday had been delayed until 1300 BST to allow boat owners to assess the damage and recover their boats.

Mr Richards said he and his colleagues spent several hours last night in extremely difficult conditions moving boats higher up the beach, until they were advised to stop by the coastguards and conditions were too dangerous.

He said the coastguards were to be praised for their work, and without it the damage would have been much worse.

Tuesday's sailing lessons for school children have also been cancelled.