Photos capture dramatic sunset in Dorset after Storm Gerrit

After a day of heavy rain and strong winds, people in Dorset were treated to a spectacular sunset.

Homes were damaged and trees came down across the UK on Wednesday as Storm Gerrit battered the country.

In Scotland, thousands of properties were without power and in Manchester, roofs were blown off houses.

In Dorset, by 16:00 BST, the sky began to clear and people took to social media to share stunning images of the bright orange sky.

The storm fell on one of the busiest travel days, as people headed home after Christmas.

Yellow warnings for wind were in place across the southern coast of England.

In some parts of the country, lorries were tipped over, trees smashed into houses and power lines were damaged.

In Dorset, clear skies could be seen towards the west by late afternoon, although the strong winds continued throughout the night.

The sky turned vivid orange, lighting up the landscape, while rainbows could be seen to the east.

Dozens of photos from across the county were shared on the BBC Weather Watchers website.

Dusk and dawn skies can look particularly stunning during autumn and winter.

Clearer air makes the colours more vivid and the sun sets at a shallower angle, meaning sunsets can be seen for a longer time.

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