Dagenham Blaze Sees Firefighters Recalled

All on-duty firefighters due to strike in London are being recalled over the blaze at a scrap metal yard being attended by 120 of their colleagues.

There are 20 fire engines attending the scene on Perry Road, Dagenham, east London, where the London Fire Brigade (LFB) say there are around 1,500 tonnes of metal alight.

Cylinders are also believed to be involved and a hazard zone has been put in place in case they explode due to the intense heat.

There are around 1,500 tonnes of metal alight. Picture: fishycol1/Twitter

With black smoke coming from the site, which can be seen from miles around, residents are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed.

Of the 27 fire appliances in operation for contingency,  20 have already been allocated to the Dagenham fire.

LFB said that, because of the major blaze, all striking FBU staff who would normally be on duty were immediately being recalled to their stations.

This was under the agreed "Recall to Duty Procedure" and was voluntary, it said in a statement.

Smoke can be seen from miles around. Picture: JSinghLon/Twitter

Scotland Yard said police officers and ambulance crews were also at the scene. There are no reported injuries, but there are local road closures in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "We have issued a recall notice and are asking striking Fire Brigades Union members in London to carry on working.

"The FBU have told firefighters not to follow the recall notice. They claim the recall is not valid because there is no risk to life.

"There is no reference to risk of life in the agreed protocols to implement a major incident.

"A major incident can and has been implemented because of the size of this fire and the resources needed to deal with it. By not responding to the recall it is the FBU that is in breach of the agreement."

No one from the FBU was available to comment.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Londoners will rightly want to see the major incident in Dagenham brought to a speedy and safe conclusion.

"I fully support the Fire Commissioner's decision to recall all striking FBU staff who would normally be on duty, and I would urge London's dedicated firefighters to do their utmost to help to bring this fire under control."

It came as firefighters in the rest of England and Wales went ahead with the strike in their dispute with the Government over pensions, on what was expected to be one of the busiest days of the year for the service ahead of Bonfire Night and Diwali celebrations.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) walked out at 6.30pm, mounting picket lines outside fire stations until the stoppage ended at 11pm.

A further two-hour strike will be held from 6am on Monday, the day before Bonfire Night.

Fire brigades across the country urged members of the public to put off any firework displays in their own gardens and to switch it to Saturday, or go to an organised event.

The union held a four-hour stoppage last month but called off another strike after it appeared a deal was in sight, but officials said the Government and fire employers had failed to offer any firm guarantees on jobs or pensions as a result of changing the pension age from 55 to 60.

The union fears firefighters will be made redundant if they fail fitness tests, and are unable to find other work in the fire service.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "It is ludicrous that after two years of negotiations the Government has still not sorted out this mess.

"Firefighters are keen for these issues to be resolved through discussion but the Government won't even listen to its own evidence which highlights that the schemes are unworkable and unaffordable.

"Firefighters want a pension scheme that takes account of the hazardous nature of the job, is affordable and workable for them and for the taxpayer."

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said its emergency response service will be "severely reduced" because of the strike.

Chief Fire Officer James Courtney said: "We're satisfied with the contingency arrangements we are putting in place, but our 999 service will still be severely depleted, so we need the public to help keep our fire engines available for real emergencies."

Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said: "This strike action by the FBU is completely unnecessary and does nothing but damage the good reputation firefighters have with the public.

"The public will be baffled by the FBU's course of action when they hear that the deal being offered to firefighters gives them one of the most generous pension schemes in all the public sector."

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Pair Charged With Murder Over Bodies In Garden

The daughter and son-in-law of an elderly couple who went missing from Mansfield have been charged with murder, say police.

Susan Patricia Edwards, 55, and Christopher John Edwards, 57, have each been charged with two counts of murder, according to Nottingham Police.

The pair, of no fixed address but who are believed to have been living outside the UK, will remain in police custody until their appearance before Nottingham magistrates tomorrow.

The remains of a man and woman were found buried in the back garden of a house in Blenheim Close, Forest Town, on Wednesday 9 October 2013.

Police have not yet formally identified the pair, but believe they are William and Patricia Wycherley, who lived at the house in the 1990s.

A police spokesman said: "A Home Office pathologist has determined that both people died as a result of being shot."

The elderly couple moved to the address in 1987 and according to neighbours, disappeared in 1998.

Officers have said Mrs Wycherley is believed to have been born in Fulham, west London, and would now have been 79. Her husband would have been 100.

Police said bone analysis has shed further light on the remains.

More follows...

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Tracey Connelly: Baby P's Mum Freed From Jail

Baby P's mother, who was jailed in 2009 for causing or allowing her son's death, has been released from prison.

Tracey Connelly was freed after the Parole Board recommended her release following a second review of her case.

Connelly was jailed indefinitely with a minimum of five years following her son Peter's death.

The Parole Board confirmed recently that a three-member panel had directed her release.

It said then: "Tracey Connelly first became eligible for parole in August 2012, and at that time a Parole Board panel made no recommendation to release.

"This is the second parole review for Tracey Connelly. The decision to release is a matter for the board, which is independent - arrangements and the date of the release are a matter for the Secretary of State."

Baby P died on August 3, 2007, with more than 50 injuries, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.

Steven Barker (L) and Jason Owen

Connelly admitted the offence soon after being charged and served several hundred days on remand.

She was given a so-called imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence, which carries a minimum term.

Connelly will remain on licence for the rest of her life and if she breaches any of the conditions, she will probably be recalled to custody.

Her son died at his home in Tottenham, north London, a day after police told Connelly she would not be prosecuted over abuse of the 17-month-old.

Connelly was jailed with her boyfriend Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen, who were convicted at trial of the same offence.

Barker was jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl and given a 12-year term to run concurrently for his "major role" in Peter's death.

Owen was jailed indefinitely with a minimum three-year term but later won an appeal to lower it to a fixed six-year term.

He was freed in August 2011 but was then recalled to prison again in April this year.

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GCSE Exams: Numbers To Replace A-G Grades

In the biggest reform of exams for decades, GCSE grades are to be replaced with a numbered system to allow examiners to distinguish between the brightest students.

The new scale will see an extra grade added into a revamped qualifications system from one to nine - with nine being the highest mark available.

Currently, in some subjects such as maths and science, high numbers of pupils achieve A* and A grades which makes it difficult to pick out the top students, it was suggested.

Glenys Stacey, chief executive of regulator Ofqual, said in these cases "you then begin to question whether the qualification is doing its job in differentiating sufficiently your most able students".

The change could also leave the door open for an extra grade to be introduced in the future if necessary, also though Ms Stacey stressed this was not why the new system had been chosen.

In a report on the changes, Ofqual said: "Currently there is a 'bunching' of grades as most students are awarded grades B, C and D. Adding in an extra grade will improve the spread of grades in this area."

High numbers of A* grades makes it difficult to pick out the best students

It added the move to a numerical system would signal the revamped GCSEs are a new qualification, which it said would be less apparent if the grading system remained the same.

The first three subjects to be revamped - English literature, English language and maths - are due to be taught in secondary schools in England from 2015, with the first exams taken in the summer of 2017. These three subjects account for around a third of GCSEs awarded in England each year.

A year later, in 2016, new GCSEs in science, history, geography and some modern foreign languages, as well as other subjects often taught in schools like religious education and art, will be introduced to schools.

Coursework is to be removed from the English language GCSE, with the qualification assessed entirely by exam. As with the current system, students' speaking skills will be tested, but will not count towards the overall grade.

A fifth of marks (20%) for the written exams will be dedicated to spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "There is much to welcome in today's announcement, especially the measured approach Ofqual has taken to this significant task.

"We have always agreed that GCSE can be improved to better prepare students to meet the needs of the world we live in today. But the constant tinkering with GCSEs we have had in the past has not been helpful."

Ofqual announced that a consultation on how the new system will compare to the old - for example which number is equivalent to a C - will begin in December.

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Fans Jailed Over Stephen Lawrence Abuse Chants

Six football fans who chanted songs that "glorify and idolise" the murderer of Stephen Lawrence have been jailed.

The Charlton Athletic supporters, who had been at an FA Cup match against Fulham on January 7 last year were jailed for their abusive behaviour on a train from Putney to Waterloo.

The men, aged between 22 and 31, were convicted of causing racially aggravated fear of violence after witnesses complained of sexual and racially motivated abuse.

Baljit Ubhey, CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "These men were singing and chanting racist abuse in praise of the convicted murderers of Stephen Lawrence. To glorify and idolise these men was disturbing and upsetting.

"Their racially and sexually abusive language left members of the public shocked and disgusted.

"Witnesses said they felt intimidated and feared there was a real and significant risk of violence."

British Transport Police said the group chanted in support of Gary Dobson, three days after he was convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence

Jake Embery was handed a six month suspended sentence

Mick Everett, Charlton FC's Head of Operations, said: "Their actions are totally condemned by everyone at the club and indeed, I am sure, by Charlton supporters everywhere.

"Although this isolated incident does not reflect on the overwhelming majority of our fans, these arrests are a kick in the teeth to everyone associated with the club, who have put so much effort into our campaign over the years.

"The club will now look to impose additional appropriate sanctions on those involved."

David Bone, 23, of Tivoli Gardens, London, and Daniel Clay, 31, of Baring Road, London, received 18 months in prison and an eight year football banning order.

The same eight year match ban was imposed on Ben Boylett, 26, of Lamberton Street, London, and Jason Butler, 31, of Mottisfont Road, south east London, who were also given one year in prison.

Sean Fowle, of Smithies Road, Abbey Wood, and Aaron Phinbow, of Abbey Wood Road, Abbey Wood, London, who are both 25-years-old, also received an eight year ban and eight months behind bars.

Jake Embery, 22, of Mickleham Road, Orpington, London, was given a six month suspended sentence, a four year match ban and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

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Sheffield Pizza Man Killed On Final Delivery

A 25-year-old student has been stabbed to death as he made his final pizza delivery before starting a career as an IT consultant.

Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, who was originally from Sri Lanka, was found slumped at the wheel of his car on Sunday evening, in the Southey area of Sheffield, as he was on his way to deliver a takeaway.

Detectives say they cannot explain the "brutal and shocking death" of a "career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man".

According to South Yorkshire Police, Mr Peiris was making his last delivery for Domino's Pizza when he died.

Mr Peiris was found slumped at the wheel of his car in the Southey area

He had been working for the chain's branch on Halifax Road in the city, while he studied IT at Sheffield Hallam University.

Mr Peiris had been taking an order to an address in Southey Crescent, which was due around 10pm.

When he failed to arrive, his work colleagues went to look for him.

He was found dead at 10.30pm in the driver's seat of his silver Toyota Yaris, outside the address he was delivering to.

A post-mortem examination showed that he died from stab wounds.

A 50-strong police team is now working on the murder inquiry.

Mr Peiris's family are hoping to travel to South Yorkshire, police said.

The branch of Domino's Pizza in Halifax Road where the 25-year-old worked

Detective Superintendant Lisa Ray, who is leading the investigation, said no motive had yet been established for the murder, and police were keeping an open mind.

But as the crime was not committed on a main through road, she believed it likely the fatal attack was carried out by somebody who knew the area.

Extensive house-to-house inquiries are being carried out, and CCTV footage is being examined. His car had also been taken to a specialist forensic garage.

Det Supt Ray said: "This was his last delivery he was going to make, so it's an absolute tragedy. At the moment we don't have any positive leads as to who was responsible."

But she added: "Somebody, somewhere knows something."

Police stress it was an isolated incident, but had increased the number of patrols in the area to reassure residents.

Det Supt said: "Thavisha Lakindu Peiris was a bright, hard-working, intelligent and caring man who had worked hard to develop his career in Sheffield.

"Everything we have learned from his family, friends and workmates at Domino's suggests he was a career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man who was very much planning his future.

Mr Peiris graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2011

"To date, we have found no explanation for his brutal and shocking death.

"I need to hear from anyone who knows anything about his murder.

"A family is grieving for a young man whose life has been taken from him in the most brutal of fashions, and we owe it to him and his family to find the person or persons responsible."

He spoke to his mother in Sri Lanka every day.

A number of people have been arrested and questioned by detectives since the murder, but have since been released without charge, according to a force spokesman.

A spokesman for Sheffield Hallam University said Mr Peiris graduated in 2011.

He said: "The university is saddened to hear of the tragic death on Sunday of Thavisha Peiris, who successfully graduated in 2011 with a degree in information technology.

"We encourage anyone with information to contact South Yorkshire Police."

Anyone with information is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 1253 of October 27.

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Savile Sex Abuse Investigation: Two Bailed

Two men have been released on bail after being arrested as part of the investigation sparked by allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile.

The pair, aged 64 and 74, were detained at separate addresses in south London on suspicion of sexual offences as part of Operation Yewtree.

They were taken into police custody to be questioned about the allegations.

Scotland Yard detectives have run the investigation in three strands - allegations involving Savile, those involving the Savile and others, and those involving others.

The claims against both men are being dealt with under the "others" strand.

They are the 15th and 16th people arrested as part of the national police probe into alleged sexual offences which was originally launched when claims were made against Savile.

Both men have been bailed until early January 2014 pending further inquiries.

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Supermarkets Announce New Petrol Price Cuts

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

The cost of fuel is being slashed at pumps across the UK in the latest phase of a supermarket petrol price war.

It was sparked by Asda which is cutting prices to its lowest this year. Then, Sainsbury's,Tesco and Morrisons acted quickly to announce reductions.

Asda is imposing a national cap on prices, saying drivers filling up at its forecourts will pay no more than 126.7p a litre for petrol or 133.7p for diesel.

Sainsbury's says it is cutting prices by up to 3p - their cheapest for two and a half years.

Tesco will reduce prices by up to 2p. Morrisons will do the same "at the majority of its sites".

Quentin Wilson from the campaign group FairFuel UK said: "Don't get excited everybody because this will not stay, we will see it go up again.

"But at least now we have a much faster reflection of wholesale prices at the pump. We don't have to wait two or three or four weeks for the fuel to come down in price when we know it goes up in a heartbeat, so I'm pleased, fair fuel is pleased."

The AA has welcomed the move saying it reflects a fall in the wholesale price of fuel, but the continued uncertainty over Libyan oil production continues to leave the market unpredictable.

"The average price of petrol in the UK has hovered around the 132p a litre mark since mid-October, making 126.7p a very good price," said an AA spokesman.

At Asda in Leamington Spa motorists greeted the news with delight.

Susan Cooper, who drives 50 miles a day, said: "This will save me a lot of money. It is about time we had some better news with gas and electricity going up."

Martin Cavanagh said: "It has to be good news. I know oil and everything is a complicated commodity and that's why we get the price jumping around. Let's hope it goes low and stays low."

Oil analyst Richard Mallison said it was significant that retailers were passing on the fall in wholesale oil prices to consumers on the forecourt.

He told Sky News: "The biggest reason for supermarkets being able to slash prices at the pump has been the change in the dollar to pound exchange rate.

"The dollar's weakened, that's brought down the cost of oil and wholesale fuel and that's now being passed on."

But he warned that low prices may not last for long.

He said: "We've seen the UK recovery stronger than expected, we've seen the troubles with the US shutdown and debt ceiling - both of those effects might fade in terms of the exchange rate, which would  then mean petrol prices starting to go up again."

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Savile Chauffeur David Smith Found Dead

A former driver charged with sex offences as part of the investigation triggered by allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile has been found dead.

David Smith, 66, was the first person to be charged by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree investigation.

He had pleaded not guilty in July to two counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency on a child following his arrest in December.

But he failed to turn up at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for the start of his trial, prompting police to go to his home in Effingham Road, Lewisham.

Smith had previously worked as Jimmy Savile's chauffeur

Scotland Yard said: "At approximately 1420 officers entered the address and found the body of a man. A FME (forensic medical examiner) attended and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Next of kin are being informed."

Smith's barrister, Sandy Canavan, had told the court she was "concerned" that her solicitor had been unable to contact him ahead of the trial as she had regularly been in touch with him.

She told the court Smith was the sole carer for his elderly mother.

Police have separated the Yewtree investigation into three parts, the first concerned with the actions of Savile, while the second concerns allegations against what has become known as 'Savile and others'.

Mr Smith was investigated under the third strand, concerning accusations of sexual abuse unconnected to Savile but made by people who came forward following publicity surrounding the Savile allegations.

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Energy Prices: MPs To Turn Up Heat On 'Big Six'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business and Economics Correspondent

Executives from Britain's biggest power companies will appear before a panel of MPs today to justify their most recent round of price hikes.

British Gas, SSE, Scottish Power and Npower have raised household bills by an average 9.1% for this winter. E.ON and EDF are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

They all say mounting wholesale costs are partly to blame.

But data from the energy regulator, Ofgem, show those prices have only gone up by 1.7% over the past year and should only add £10 to a bill.

Mark Todd, co-founder of the EnergyHelpline website, told Sky News: "I can't see a reason a why an energy company could really say that wholesale gas and electricity price increases are the main reason for these hikes.

"They need to increase their profits, their own take is going up.

"They do have to pay these green levies, they are going up dramatically, and also the transmission costs are going up dramatically. Wholesale costs, no. But other costs, yes."

The Energy and Climate Change Committee will take evidence from Tony Cocker, the Chief Executive of E.ON, the boss of British Gas' Energy division, Ian Peters and representatives from SSE, Npower, EDF Energy and Co-operative Energy from 1pm.

MPs will grill bosses on the different pricing policies between energy suppliers, improving transparency of their profits and ask them to justify the most recent round of price hikes.

Andrew Wright, Interim Chief Executive of Ofgem will also appear before MPs.

UK households pay some of the lowest energy tariffs in Europe.

Jillian Ambrose from energy information provider Platts said: "Gas prices have been going up.

"It is a global market at the end of the day and something as far removed at the Fukushima disaster has had a big impact on UK gas prices.

"Japan have shut reactors and they are more dependent on gas than ever and they are willing to pay for it. So in a global market the UK needs to compete and those prices have reflected that."

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Storm: Newhaven Search For Boy Called Off

A 14-year-old boy is feared dead after being swept into the sea while playing in the surf in rough weather conditions.

The youngster disappeared from West Beach at Newhaven, East Sussex, at about 4.15pm on Sunday.

Rescue teams, including a coastguard helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat, scoured the area in what were described as "atrocious conditions" with poor visibility.

An RNLI lifeboat is buffeted by the waves as it takes part in the search

After around six hours the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it had stood down its search teams - making the operation one of search and recovery.

The teenager was playing with friends - who have all been accounted for - when the incident occurred.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "This is a very distressing incident and everything possible is being done to try to find the boy."

A rescue worker looks on as his colleagues battle the elements at sea

A MCA spokeswoman said that rescue teams struggled in difficult conditions.

She said police were with the boy's family, who are "distraught".

Meanwhile, the public were reminded of the dangers of being on the coast in bad weather, especially in view of the approaching storm. 

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Severe Storm Batters Britain With 90mph Winds

Britain is facing transport chaos as hurricane force winds batter southern parts of the country, shutting bridges and railways and cancelling flights.

St Jude's storm started battering the south west from around midnight.

The storm is expected to blast across England and Wales throughout the night and early morning.

Gusts of 93.15mph have already been recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, according to the MeteoGroup.

Torrential rain is also forecast and there are a number of flood warnings in place.

The storm is expected to bring severe disruption to transport, with chaos predicted at southern airports when the worst of the weather hits.

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White reports airline workers have been that briefed winds of up to 80 knots (90+ mph) could last until midday at Heathrow.

An ominous-looking scene at Brighton marina. Pic: Kevin Long

Engineers have warned that they will be unable to open aircraft cargo hatches or operate walkways used to offload passengers in winds of more than 40-45 knots.

Airlines are believed to be making plans to divert planes to airports in the north of the UK if necessary.

Train companies are warning of widespread cancellations due to possible debris on the tracks.

Southern Railway, South West Trains, Greater Anglia and First Capital Connect are among those predicting travel delays.

Eurostar cross-channel services have been suspended until at least 7am, and around 60 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow airport.

Rough seas at Porthleven, Cornwall

As the storm approaches, the Coastguard said it had "stood down" its search for a 14-year-old boy swept out to sea while swimming at Newhaven, East Sussex.

A lifeboat and helicopter had been searching rough seas for the teenager. Sussex Police has warned people to "stay clear" of seashores during the adverse weather.

The storm has reminded some people of the Great Storm of 1987, when thousands of homes were without power for several days.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

This time he has warned people to "batten down the hatches" and to delay their morning journey by two or three hours on Monday morning.

He told Sky News' Murnaghan show: "There is certainly a severe storm on the way - and we certainly do need to worry about it.

"If you draw a line from about Aberystwyth to the Humber - everywhere south of there looks like getting affected by strong winds, to the north of that the problem is going to be heavy rain and localised flooding."

His comments were echoed by senior fire chiefs who have urged people to stay indoors if possible, and to take extra care if venturing out.

Meteorologists have warned the fierce winds and torrential rain could leave a trail of destruction, damaging buildings and bringing down trees and power lines.

The Great Storm of 1987 left thousands without power

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

The much-anticipated storm was named St Jude after the patron saint of lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday

Prime Minister David Cameron said he had chaired a call with Government departments and agencies to hear about their plans to "ensure people are protected from tonight's storm".

He was updated on preparations and contingency planning for transport, schools, hospitals, councils and power supplies.

Insurance companies have advised homeowners to take steps to protect themselves and their property.

They suggested having an evacuation plan, placing valuable items upstairs to limit flood damage and ensuring gutters are clear.

The Environment Agency says 20-40mm (0.8-1.6inches) of rain could fall within six to nine hours.

It has teams working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

A spokesman added: "Seafronts, quaysides and jetties should be avoided due to the risk of overtopping by waves and wind-blown shingle."

Met Office severe weather alerts are also in place, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

A yellow warning, meaning "be aware", has been issued for the rest of Wales and England.

In London, the Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

:: For the latest on the storm watch a special edition of Sky News Sunrise from 6am on Monday.

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Miller Redpath: Body Found In Back Garden

Police searching for a missing teenager have found a body in his overgrown back garden.

Public schoolboy Miller Redpath, 18, went missing from his family home in Wenhaston in Suffolk in August.

Suffolk Police said an officer went to the house on Thursday as part of their inquiries and found the body during a search of the garden.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out, however the cause of death remains unknown, police said in a statement.

"At this stage the death is still being treated as unexplained," the statement said.

"Officers have not yet been able to identify the deceased and further tests are required, however early indications suggest that it is the body of 18-year-old Miller Redpath.

"Further searches are taking place at the property and specialist trained officers continue to support Miller's mother at this difficult time."

The discovery comes after Mr Redpath's mother made an emotional appeal for information about her son's disappearance.

"I think he went out purposefully to do something, in order to return shortly, and something went horribly wrong," Anastasia Miller said earlier this month.

"Everything was on track for him as he was doing well at school, he was thinking of London University, had lots of friends and I just don't understand what happened," she added.

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Weather: Met Office Warns Of Severe Storm

England and Wales will be hit by a "significant storm" on Sunday night with winds of up to 80mph in some areas, the Met Office has warned.

Forecasters say the storm is expected to bring "exceptionally strong winds" to parts of the UK when it strikes late on Sunday night.

There were hopes the huge storm brewing over the Atlantic Ocean would miss the UK, and sweep instead through the English Channel.

But meteorologists are now certain it will strike the south west of England and could leave a trail of destruction as it gusts north-east across the country, causing structural damage, and bringing down trees and power lines.

The Met Office said winds of between 60mph and 80mph are expected across the southern half of the UK.

In exposed coastal areas the winds may reach speeds in excess of 80mph.

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

Frank Saunders, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are confident that a severe storm will affect Britain on Sunday night and Monday.

"We are now looking at refining the details about which areas will see the strongest winds and the heaviest rain.

"This is a developing situation and we'd advise people to stay up to date with our forecasts and warnings over the weekend, and be prepared to change their plans if necessary.

"We'll continue to work closely with authorities and emergency services to ensure they are aware of the expected conditions."

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

The Environment Agency says 20-40mm of rain could fall within six to nine hours.

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

The storm will intensify on Sunday and hit the UK on Monday morning

There is a lesser yellow warning, meaning "be aware", for the rest of Wales and England up to the border with Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The storm is coming through at the worst possible time; from around midnight to midday on Monday - which takes in the rush hour when people are trying to get to work.

"Winds gusting at 80mph are quite capable of bringing down trees and power lines and causing structural damage.

"Trees are still full in leaf at this time of year and the ground is quite damp so there is more chance they can be ripped from the ground, and branches ripped from trees.

"There's also the possibility of flooding with torrential downpours and leaves blocking drains. South Wales and southern England are most at risk.

"There is likely to be flash flooding on roads and the AA will be out in force."

She said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

But the storm will develop on Saturday and intensify on Sunday fairly close to the coast before it strikes with full force.

A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK are contributing to its development and strength.

The storm of 1987 caused widespread damage and killed 22 people

Winds could top 80mph as they hit seaside towns and villages before slowly losing power as they gust across the UK and out to the North Sea.

Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in south Wales in 1989.

However, it will strike two weeks later than the 1987 storm, which left a trail of destruction on October 15 and 16.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

This time he warned people to "batten down the hatches" and keep checking the forecasts as the powerful storm approaches.

Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: "The timing couldn't really be worse, potentially causing significant travel disruption on Monday morning, which is one of the busiest times on the roads.

"If it's bad where you are, keep tuned to the weather and traffic reports - in case of road or bridge closures - and heed any local police advice about whether it's safe to travel.

"At a minimum, take a fully-charged mobile phone and warm, weatherproof clothing."

He said the AA's specialist flood rescue team, driving modified Land Rovers, have been working all week and are on stand-by.

The Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

A spokesman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service is reminding Londoners to dial 101 when contacting police when it's not an emergency with expected increases in demand brought about by high winds in the next few days."

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