DORSET was battered in high winds that caused damage across he county.

Dorset Police said they had been alerted to more than 50 incidents of fallen trees and damaged prpoerty across the county between 7pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday.

A fallen tree on Preston Road in Overcombe, Weymouth, caused rush-hour traffic delays on Friday morning when one side of the road had to be cordoned off while debris was cleared.

In the Southlands area of Buxton Road, telephone cables blew close to houses in high winds yesterday morning. Telecommunications authorities were called to deal with the incident.

Building site fencing blocked the pavement and road at Stavordale Road in Weymouth shortly after 9pm on Thursday and police put up signage and lights after a tree was blown over on the road between Moreton and Crossways near the Frampton Arms.

The tree blocked the road and was reported to be perched precariously on a fence shortly after 11pm on Thursday.

Police issued a warning to motorists on the road during heavy weather.

A spokesman said: “Our advice is to pay full attention to roads at all times and drive proportionate to road conditions, showing consideration to other motorists.”