Police close Sidmouth seafront as severe gales batter coastline

Storm Ciara is in full-swing with gale force winds and heavy downpours causing widespread disruption across the UK.

An amber weather warning has been in place since this morning, with gusts of wind up to '80mph or higher along coastal areas'.

Sidmouth seafront has been taped off by police, because of the risk of flying debris, for example pebbles from the beach thrown up by waves crashing into the shoreline.

As the MET Office warned, there is a heightened chance of 'injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties'.

No doubt everyone in Sidmouth will be wondering the same thing - how is the 'glass' sea wall faring in this stormy weather?