Staffordshire roads flooded as Storm Austen hits

Areas of north Staffordshire are flooded, as Storm Austen hits the region, having battered southern parts of the UK earlier on Friday.

A slip road on the A500 for Sandyford/Tunstall saw a car stranded as motorists try to navigate difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, the Greyhound Gap dog rescue charity in Kidsgrove said they had to evacuate their dogs to an emergency shelter because their premises had flooded.

Elsewhere, Storm Austen is causing widespread power cuts and travel disruption – with wind gusts of 84mph (135km/h) recorded at Jersey Airport.

Elsewhere, there were reports of flooding in Cross Heath and Lower Milehouse in Newcastle-under-Lyme as well as a pedestrian underpass in the town centre.

The heavy rain has also caused a manhole cover to collapse on Kidsgrove Bank South and a classic car event which was due to take place tomorrow in Newcastle-under-Lyme has also been postponed and will now be held in November.

Parts of the Trentham estate in Stoke-on-Trent were shut because of the weather, with the site confirming they were forced to close because of the number of trees.

"We are continuing to closely monitor the high winds affecting Trentham Gardens today," a spokesperson said.

"The lakeside walk and wider gardens are currently closed as a precautionary measure, although the Italian Gardens remain open at this time."

Weather conditions will continue to be monitored throughout the weekend, and anyone planning to visit is advised to check the attraction's website first.

The shopping village area remained open, they said.

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