The south coast of England has been hit with strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Angus hit. A major incident has also been declared as a 200m-long cargo ship was evacuated after it hit a barge full of rocks at Samphire Hoe near Dover.

Fierce winds of nearly 100mph were recorded by a ship in the English Channel, while elsewhere in Langdon Bay, Kent gusts reached speeds of 80mph.

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Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said in a BBC report: "It is the first storm of the season, coming quite late at this time in November.

"This will be a bit of a shock to the system for most people in terms of wind and rainfall. Any weak branches are likely to come down in the first storm."

More than 20 flood warnings were in place, while an amber warning was issued by the Met Office that strong gales were expected in Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight. In Exeter, two inches of rain fell, although this is expected to rise.

On the Kent coast, the noise from the winds "sounds like we are next to a 747 jet on take off", according to one family. They tweeted: "Whole house shaking and windows flexing."

Devon and Cornwall Police said there was a major flooding incident at the Mill on the Mole residential park in South Molton in the early hours of Sunday morning (20 November). There was heavier than expected rain on Saturday and the Environment Agency announced there was a threat to life because of fast-flowing and very deep water.

Trees have come toppling down on roads, causing hazardous driving conditions in the south of England.

The Brighton 10K run was cancelled due to high winds, according to its organisers, while waves of up to five metres high engulfed the Sussex coastline.

Firefighters struggled to control what was described as a major fire" in Bognor Regis, as powerful winds fanned the flames, causing 30 local residents to be evacuated.