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 wh