MOTORISTS faced flooded roads, rain and gales as Storm Imogen hit Wiltshire today.

The B4069 at Christian Malford, near Chippenham, is flooded at The Bridge junction as is the B3106 in Staverton, at the B3105 junction, between Trowbridge and Holt.

This afternoon Maud Heath's Causeway in Kellaways, Chippenham, was closed near the Sutton Lane junction, because of flooding as is Hither Way Bridge in Lacock near the High Street junction.

A lane is blocked with slow traffic on the A350 in Chippenham around Malmesbury Road Roundabout because of a fallen tree.

At Melksham the A3102 Bradford Road is partly blocked at the Countrywide Farmers Roundabout because of flooding.

Almost 300 Environment Agency flood warnings are in place across the UK amid heavy downpours, with 59 warnings calling for "immediate action", particularly in the south west and Wales where parts are expected to see up to more than 1.5ins (40mm) of rain during Monday.

Rail services in Wales, the south west and in southern areas are being disrupted due to strong winds, with speed restrictions and cancellations, the Severn Bridge was closed eastbound and restricted westbound because of strong winds and services from ferry companies Brittany and P&O are cancelled and delayed.

Gatwick airport also warned passengers flights could be delayed because of bad weather.

The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" wind warning for Wales, the south west, the south coast and London and south-east England, while coastal areas are expected to be lashed with large waves.

Forecaster Emma Sillitoe said the winds would be some of the worst so far this winter, not far off gusts of 105mph recorded last month in Shetland, Scotland.

The Met Office issued an amber weather warning, valid until 6pm, saying that gusts of up to 70mph were likely today.

The warning says: "An area of very strong winds is likely to extend east across southwest England and parts of central southern England on Monday morning.

"Gusts of 60-70 mph are likely widely, with 80 mph gusts in exposed coastal areas, particularly Cornwall and North Devon, and also along the South Wales coast and through the Bristol Channel. Some very large waves are also likely to affect many coasts, in particular north coasts of Cornwall and Devon. Winds should gradually ease through the afternoon and evening.

"Please be prepared for disruption to travel as well as possible damage to trees and structures, and interruption of power supplies."

The chief forecaster said: "An area of low pressure is expected to move eastwards across the UK on Monday with a swathe of very strong winds around its southern flank, which will affect parts of southern Britain.

"The winds are likely to be very gusty at times, particularly in association with heavy showers running across these areas.

"There remains some uncertainty in northward and eastward extent of the damaging winds as well as the peak strengths and so this warning will be kept under review."

In Bristol a man in his 40s was injured when trees fell onto a three-storey block of flats.

One tree crashed through the roof of the building in St Annes and into the man's flat, Avon Fire and Rescue Service said. He was treated at the scene for a minor head injury.