Man dies in harbour as gales wreak havoc

Gale-force conditions, with snow, were expected to continue in Scotland and northern England today after winds of up to 90mph left a trail of destruction across Britain at the weekend. Weather centres forecast no respite until tomorrow.

A boy was rescued from under 8ft (2.4m) of rubble after the chimney and roof caved in on a house in Sandown on the Isle of Wight. Three other people were taken to hospital, including one of the boy's rescuers who was knocked unconscious by debris. In Portland Harbour, Dorset, a 76-year-old man died yesterday when a dinghy capsized. One of his companions was rescued and the other swam to shore. In the North, at least one police force urged motorists to stay at home as a Newcastle weather centre spokesman said the winds were among the worst in the region for years. Gusts of 120mph were recorded in the Highlands.