HIGH winds and torrential rain have caused damage cross Hampshire as power cables and trees were brought down.

The sudden storm came after the Met Office issued a weather warning and forecast heavy gusts of wind.

It left trees down on roads across the New Forest, while lightning and thunder struck above Southampton.

There were also problems on railways after a train hit a tree which had fallen into the road, while cross-Solent ferry services were suspended.

You can see photos of the damage caused by scrolling through the gallery above.

Daily Echo:

PICTURED: An image from www.lightningmaps.org showing the location of strikes over Hampshire and the Solent

The Met Office is warning that "some short term loss of power and other services is possible, as well as some delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges."

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "A spell of strong winds is expected during the early to mid-morning as potent, heavy showers with a chance of hail and thunder spread eastwards across southern England.

"Gusts of 45 to 50 mph are likely quite widely in and near these showers, with 60 mph gusts in places and close to 70 mph at times in the most exposed coastal locations.

"Wind will go on to slowly ease through the course of this afternoon."

Scroll through the gallery above to see photos from a huge storm in July 2017.