Meanwhile, there were delays on the M5 northbound between Junctions 22 for Burnham and 23 for Bridgwater earlier, after the strong winds took the roof off a lorry - forcing two lanes to be closed.

And two workesr from the Environment Agency rescued a woman after her car was swept away while trying to cross a flooded ford, at Chew Stoke east of Blagdon.

Flood warnings are in place in North Somerset, and across the South West - and the Met Office is warning motorists of hazardous driving conditions with spray and high winds making journeys more difficult.