High winds and rain lashed the south coast bringing travel chaos this morning.

Ferry services have been cancelled, roads closed and cruises ships held in port.

One of Hampshire's busiest commuter routes was closed after a tree fell and hit a van.

Emergency services shut the A35 across the New Forest following the accident this morning.

Two parts of a large tree fell on to the road and hit a van on the A35 Bournemouth Road just outside Lyndhurst at about 6am.

The driver of the Vauxhall Movano van suffered minor injuries in the accident and the road was re-opened at about 7.10am.

It comes as the south continues to be battered by driving rain and winds of up to 60 miles and hour.

The winds have also forced Wightlink to cancel the Lymington to Yarmouth ferry.

Red Funnel have also cancelled Red Jets between Southampton and Cowes.

And the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, which was due to sail from Southampton at 5pm last night to St Peter Port in Guernsey, remained in port this morning.

Elsewhere, Alton Lane in Four Marks was partially blocked due to fallen tree which brought down power cables.

A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises said: "Having completed her turnaround yesterday, Caribbean Princess remained alongside in Southampton overnight in order to resolve a technical issue.

"Caribbean Princess is due to start a British Isles cruise and her revised itinerary will be confirmed as soon as the departure time is known.

"Passengers onboard have been kept informed and are enjoying all the facilities."