Wind and rain sees roads closed and races off
Hexham RacecourseHigh wind speeds have caused travel disruption, tip closures and a horse race meeting to be called off.
Met Office warnings for wind were in force in the north-east of England and Cumbria until 20:00 GMT, with alerts also in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Hexham Racecourse abandoned a meeting of seven races earlier over safety concerns "due to very high winds".
Roads were flooded and impassable in Cumbria and some routes, including the A66 between Bowes and Brough and the A19 Tees Viaduct, were closed to high-sided vehicles.
The racecourse in Northumberland called off the day's events after a morning inspection measured gusts of 50mph (80km/h), a spokesperson said.
In a statement, the venue said it would contact people who had purchased tickets.
BBC Weather Watchers / MackemIanCumberland Council said Kingmoor Road in Carlisle was flooded and impassable under the railway bridge, as was the A5093 at Kirksanton.
A fallen tree blocked the road in Stair Village near Keswick, the council added.
It said it was cancelling Carlisle Market on Friday as a precautionary measure.
National Highways said it had closed some main routes to vehicles such as lorries and caravans, and would monitor and advise when restrictions would be lifted.
Restrictions were in place on the A19 flyover between the A66 in Middlesbrough and the A1046 over the River Tees in Stockton.
It said the A66 westbound, between the A1M and the junction with the A685, was shut earlier due to an HGV overturning in strong winds.
Meanwhile, councils in the region closed a number of tips.
Durham County Council shut Annfield Plain, Heighington, Hett Hills, Horden, Stainton Grove, Coxhoe, Potterhouse, Seaham, Tudhoe and Romanway.
Middlesbrough Council closed its Household Waste Recycling Centre on Haverton Hill Road, and Northumberland County Council said its North Seaton, Berwick, Bebside and Alnwick sites were shut.