A CHRISTMAS lights switch-on has been cancelled tonight and ferries suspended as wind batters Hampshire.

The Gosport lights hosted by Wave 105 Radio DJ Rick Jackson have been cancelled just an hour before they were due to start.

Red Funnel has cancelled its Red Jet service from Southampton to West Cowes until further notice.

Christmas lights organisers said in a statement on social media: “It is with enormous regret that we have to cancel the Gosport lights switch on.”

People have now taken to social media to share their outrage.

Tanya Piper posted: “There are going to be a lot of disappointed children, it’s not that windy and they are only showers, normal weather for this time of year.”

A Red Funnel spokesman was unable to confirm when the Red Jet would resume service. All other routes are operating as normal.

Experts say rain will continue to hit the county all week with more wind expected tomorrow.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell promised a "repeat performance" in the afternoon with gusts of up to 55mph on the Solent. The morning will start mildly with clouds coming over as the day progresses, and wind chill will negate high temperatures. of 13 degrees Celsius.

Hampshire will start the working week under a new band of rain, but Mr Snell said the worst would strike north of the M4.