WILD WEATHER: Violent gusts rip up tree outside Crooked Spire

Emergency services across the county are urging residents to stay indoors and not to travel unless absolutely necessary in the extreme weather.

A spokesman for Derbyshire fire service said: “Our control room is handling numerous calls of dangerous structures and fallen trees.

“Please consider your journey this evening.”

Leza-Anne Green took the above picture of a huge tree ripped from the ground outside Chesterfield’s historic Crooked Spire church.

And Karen Mason sent us this shot of a fallen tree at Queen’s Park Annexe in Chesterfield.

She said: “I heard a crackling noise on my way back from work and wondered what it was.”

Western Power Distribution said thousands of homes, including in the Peak District, are without power.

On the Derbyshire Times Facebook page, Amy Bradshaw said: “My husband’s a lorry driver – I’ll be worrying about him until he gets home. I hope everyone keeps safe.”

Sharon Marie White added: “I will be braving it to deliver care in the community.”

A Met Office alert for strong wind is in force until midnight. A spokesman from the organisation said: “The public is advised to take extra care and be prepared for the risk of disruption to transport and possibly power supplies.”

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