Driver killed as gales batter Britain

LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - A driver was killed today by an uprooted tree as severe gales battered much of Britain, causing transport havoc and damaging buildings.

Winds gusted up to 99 mph in exposed parts of the country with heavy rain, while snow fell across much of Scotland.

Rescue services raced to pick up 26 sailors forced to abandon their container ship after it began sinking in stormy seas in the Channel.

West Mercia police said the motorist had been killed on the B4373 near Bridgnorth near Shropshire just before 0600 hrs.

''It's not yet known if his car was in collision with the fallen tree or whether the tree actually fell on the vehicle,'' a police spokesman said.

He said there had been violent storms in the area overnight and that severe conditions were expected to continue.

''The driving conditions this morning were atrocious. There have been numerous reports of roads affected by flash floods and of trees having fallen across roads,'' he said.

The Highways Agency warned motorists to take extra care, to slow down in bad weather and keep greater distances from other vehicles.

Flights were disrupted at many airports. At London's Heathrow more than 100 European and domestic flights were cancelled.

Up to 25,000 homes across southeast England were without power after falling trees and flying debris brought down electricity cables, supplier Southern Electric said.

Kent Police said the port of Dover had been closed, as had the M25 Dartford bridge crossing and severe traffic problems were being reported on many roads into the capital.

Network Rail said train services throughout the country were affected by the bad weather.

Many First Great Western services from London Paddington to Wales and western England have been cancelled while GNER said it would be running only 75 percent of its service with delays predicted and trains likely to be busier than usual.

Wind speeds of 99 mph were recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight, a Met Office spokeswoman said, with 60-70 mph winds sweeping across most of Britain.

The gales are expected to ease from the west during Thursday afternoon but the Met Office said poor conditions would continue.

REUTERS SHB VC1910