Storm Barra: Dorchester building's roof damaged in winds

BBC South Walks House and road closureBBC
South Walks House in Dorchester was damaged in strong winds on Tuesday

A council building and surrounding roads and paths have been shut after its roof suffered damage amid strong winds during Storm Barra.

Dorset Council said South Walks House in Dorchester was damaged by the bad weather on Tuesday afternoon.

It said the closures would remain "until an assessment and plan to make the building safe have been made".

The former council office building houses a temporary NHS clinic, library and learning centre.

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The authority said it hoped the damage to the building could be assessed on Wednesday if the weather had subsided.

The roads affected are Charles Street, South Walks Road, from Five Cross junction along Acland Road, and Acland Road.

Sign in library window
The library was forced to close for the day
Road closure on South Walks
Surrounding roads have also been shut

A yellow warning for wind for parts of south and south-west England is still in place - lasting until 18:00 GMT.

Several homes in Sherborne lost their electricity supply just after 05:00, with some only seeing it restored by 12:00.

Flood warnings have also been issued in several places along the Dorset coast.

Lyme Regis Coastguard issued a warning after concerns were raised about fossil hunters, thought to be in danger below the cliffs between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, at the height of the storm on Tuesday morning.

"Please be aware that the cliffs are highly unstable at this time of year. The best fossils are found on the beach, so members of the public are warned to avoid making any attempt to climb the cliffs and landslides," it posted on social media.

Also on Tuesday, ferries were cancelled, trains delayed and Bournemouth's Christmas market was shut as winds from Storm Barra battered the region.

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