Storm Imogen: Gale-force gusts batter the West Midlands but region escapes lightly

Much of the UK was pummelled by hurricane-force gusts that reached nearly 100mph and caused transport chaos, but it was rain that caused the most disruption in the West Midlands.

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Almost 300 Environment Agency flood warnings were in place across the UK amid heavy downpours, with 59 warnings calling for "immediate action".

Twelve of these more serious warnings, which mean flooding is expected, were in the Midlands, while the region also had 43 flood "alerts" for areas where flooding was possible.

In Worcester the county cricket ground was flooded while in Stafford, Doxey Road long-stay car park was closed due to flooding

Wombourne Cricket Club also suffered extensive water damage, with a deluge of rain water soaking through the entire green.

Tim Walters, spokesman for Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands environment agency said: "Across Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands we experienced rainfall of between 20-35mm over the weekend.

"As a precautionary measure, temporary flood barriers remain in place along the River Tame at Brookvale Road, Witton, Birmingham.

"In addition, we are also aware that a tree has fallen across the River Tame on Tame Industrial Estate. We are monitoring this carefully but do not expect this to cause any additional flooding problems. Due to technical challenges, it is not expected that the tree will be moved before February 9."

For full details on flood warnings across the region, see the Met Office's website here.

Turmoil for travellers

Travellers faced serious disruption throughout the country with motorists and train, plane and ferry users all affected by Storm Imogen.

In Birmingham, commuters faced lengthy delays thanks to overhead wire problems between Stechford and Adderley Park.

An object obstructing the wires caused delays of up to 40 minutes between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street from around 4pm. The obstruction was expected to be cleared by 5pm.

Earlier in the day, speed restrictions between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street delayed local services until the limit was removed at around 1.30pm.

Further afield, rail services in Wales, the south west and in southern areas were disrupted due to strong winds, with speed restrictions and cancellations.

The Severn Bridge was closed eastbound and restricted westbound because of strong winds and services from ferry companies Brittany and P&O are cancelled and delayed.

Gatwick airport also warned passengers flights could be delayed because of bad weather.

Bad weather and stormy seas are also disrupting cross-channel ferry services, with the Port of Dover temporarily closed overnight due to wind and strong sea swells.

DFDS and P&O ferries between Dover and Calais are affected, while services from Liverpool to Dublin and from Newhaven to Dieppe are cancelled.

A trail of destruction

Two children were airlifted to hospital when a wall collapsed on them before the start of the school day.

The youngsters, a boy and girl aged five and seven, suffered serious leg injuries when the stone garden wall fell on them on Monday morning in the Worcestershire village of Bretforton near Evesham.

Emergency services were called out at 8.55am to the B4035, the main road through the village, and firefighters pulled the pair from the rubble.

Paramedics stabilised them before they were flown to hospital for treatment, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said.

A father and daughter near Exeter in Devon also reportedly had a lucky escape when a 100ft (30.5m) tree was blown onto their car parked outside their house, minutes before they were about to leave to travel to school.

In Bristol a man in his 40s was injured after trees fell onto a three-storey block of flats.

One tree crashed through the roof of the building in St Annes and into the man's flat, Avon Fire and Rescue Service said. He was treated at the scene for a minor head injury.

In Wales, Aberystwyth's sea front was closed while in Bridgend shoppers were ushered away from several town centre streets by police because of fallen roof tiles.

As winds of around 80mph were widely recorded there were scores of reports of damage, with people posting pictures on social media of felled trees, downed scaffolding, garden trampolines blown into properties and damaged homes.

Cars parked at Fistral Beach in Newquay were left half-submerged in sand as wind lashed the beach, a lorry was blown over on the M4 and in Yatton, North Somerset and a roof blew off a Lloyds Bank branch in the high street.