Storm Bram's strong winds and heavy rain lash parts of UK and Ireland

Flights and trains were cancelled, motorists faced long delays and thousands of properties were left without power across the UK and Ireland yesterday after Storm Bram brought heavy rain and strong winds.

- Steven Morris

There were more than 300 flood warnings or alerts issued across the UK and sporting matches and festive events were cancelled because of the weather.

High waves battered coastlines and in some parts of the UK the amount of rain that might usually be expected over two weeks at this time of year fell in little over 24 hours.

The Met Office reported that 111.5mm (4.3in) of rain fell at White Barrow on Dartmoor in Devon in the 24 hours up to 3pm yesterday. At Princetown there was 79.4mm. The December average for Princetown is about 200mm. In Treherbert, south Wales, 83.8mm fell. Gusts of 83mph were recorded in Capel Curig and Aberdaron in north Wales.

Met Office amber weather warnings remained in place for northwest Scotland and Northern Ireland into last night. There are yellow warnings for wind today in Scotland, though conditions were calming in other parts of the UK.