TYNEDALE has been hit with the effects of Storm Ali as strong gusts of wind battered the district.

Oakwood Bank was closed on Wednesday afternoon after a tree fell, blocking the whole road and bringing down power cables.

Northumberland County Council said school transport companies have been contacted and road users were being asked to follow the direction of police and temporary road signs until the road is reopened.

At 1pm police said the road could take up to four hours to reopen.

Some homes in Oakwood have been left without power, as well as separate power cuts on Wednesday which affected around 420 homes in the Stocksfield area and around 40 homes near Humshaugh.

The windy conditions, which have seen gusts up to 75mph, have caused other trees to fall in parts of Tynedale.

Police received reports that a tree had fallen on the road between Bellingham and West Woodburn at 11.30am.

The road was not closed as police said it was only partially affected, but Northumberland County Council was informed so the tree could be removed.

And another tree was caused to fall due to the heavy winds near to Brunton Crossroads on the Military Road, with branches covering one lane of the road.

Elsewhere in the district, Belsay Hall tweeted to say it had closed its castle and gardens to visitors due to the extreme weather conditions.