AFTERMATH OF ST JUDE'S STORM CHAOS- SOUTHERN ENGLAND

Two people have been killed and at least one other is feared dead after Britain was battered by 100mph winds that ripped up trees and destroyed homes in a devastating ten hours.

Bethany Freeman, 17, died today after a tree fell onto her static home while she slept in Hever, Kent, and a man in his fifties was killed in Watford when his Peugeot 206 was crushed as he drove alone to work.

A 14-year-old boy, named locally as Dylan Alkins, is also feared dead after being swept out to sea in Newhaven, East Sussex yesterday afternoon.

Several others have been injured after they were hit by debris while one tree devastated three houses when it fell on a gas main and led to an explosion in Hounslow, west London, where two people are believed to be trapped in the rubble. (Click below for more pics)

The St Jude's storm, the most dangerous for years, hit southern England with gusts of almost 100mph and left at least 500,000 homes without power after it struck at around 3am.

Millions of commuters have been left stranded and warned not to travel today unless it is essential, with at least 40 railway lines blocked, roads left impassable and hundreds of flights cancelled.

David Cameron has said the loss of life as a result of the bad weather is 'hugely regrettable'.

Reference: dailymail