Hurricane winds batter Worthing

Winds reaching speeds of 98mph tore through the town knocking trees down and leaving several others hanging precariously.

A spokesperson for fire headquarters in Chichester, said: "It's been chaos all over. There are trees across roads, branches across roads, bits of fences and walls down everywhere."

One shocked Goring resident had a lucky escape after a 9ft section of his garden wall crashed onto the side of his car.

Plumber Philip Louis, 56, of Nutley Crescent had only just returned from work when the strong winds toppled a huge section of his 6ft garden wall. He had only just parked his car.

He said: "We heard a noise. I was indoors at the time. We looked outside the house to find the wall was resting on the car.

"I had only just parked it there after returning home from work.

"It was a good, sturdy garden wall. It has been standing for about 10 years and gone through its fair share of gales."

Worthing Pier was closed at 10.15am yesterday and the Beach Office said that if the winds continued last night then the pier would be closed today (Thursday) as well.

Sirens were heard throughout the town as firefighters raced from one call to the next, clearing trees and making buildings safe.

Sussex Ambluance Service received seveal calls after people were blown over in the wind. Paramedics rushed to treat an elderly man who banged his head after being blown to the ground in Cleveland Road, Salvington, and an elderly woman fell in Marine Parade.

The usually busy promenade was quiet yesterday lunchtime due to the weather.

Pensioner, Barbara Schofield, 83, visiting Worthing with a friend, was sheltering next to the pier from gale-force winds. She said: "Spray from the waves have caught us all the way up here, I can feel the salt on my face."

Graham Roberts, 35, a sports boat operator, patrolling Worthing seafront, said: "You can't launch a boat in this weather, it is against health and safety. We keep an eye on the foreshore at the east and west borders at Brooklands Park and all the way up to Ferring.

"A lot of people have come up to look at the sea which is dangerous when it is really rough. I am making sure that they don't get too close to the sea or blown over."

Blu Pizza restaurant, on Marine Parade, had only 12 customers during a usually busy luchtime period. Manager, Jackie Scriven, 28, said: "It has been dead. This weather might be good for the windsurfers, but it's bad for business. We usually put tables and chairs for people outside, but not today."

Mac Skeet from the Beach Office said: "We have not had any major problems as such. There has been some light structural damage.

"The winds have been gusting to storm force 11."