Storm Arwen: Heavy snow traps 120 HGV drivers on M62

About 120 HGV drivers were stuck on the M62 after Storm Arwen and a jack-knifed lorry led to the motorway's partial closure.

Junctions 21 and 22, near Rochdale, were closed for more than eight hours after the area was hit by heavy snow.

Storm conditions also left 74,000 homes without power across the north west.

In Formby, 80 trees were uprooted on the National Trust's site and yellow weather warnings for wind and ice remain in across the region.

Engineers have since restored power to 43,000 homes, said Electricity North West.

A spokesman for the supplier described the conditions as "treacherous and extremely severe".

Greater Manchester Police said there were a number of road closures in the Oldham area due to fallen trees.

In Lancashire, police said a driver had a "lucky escape" after a tree hit his car while travelling along Lodge Lane in Elswick at about 05:00 GMT.

Officers urged drivers to take care and check routes before leaving home.

On the railways, Northern has closed a number of routes due to snow, trees and debris on the line.

The lines affected include those to Blackburn, Clitheroe, Bolton, Blackburn, Lancaster, Barrow, Stockport, Chester and Warrington Bank Quay.

The National Trust described the damage to 80 Scots Pines as "significant" and has closed Victoria Road and Lifeboat Road car parks due to the fallen trees.

The trust has strongly advised visitors to keep away from the area.

A couple living in Wirral reported a tree smashing on to the side of their house after the area suffered strong winds.

Helen Brewin and her partner were woken up to an "almighty noise" at about 00:45 GMT.

"We were scared and shocked - it was so surreal," she told the BBC.

Ms Brewin and her family have moved to the other side of the house until the property is repaired.

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