GALE force winds have caused traffic disruption and emergency road closures across Wirral.

The severe weather has so far brought trees crashing down and roof tiles toppling to the ground.

Police have cordoned off part of Salacre Crescent, Upton, after a 25ft tree was uprooted by the high winds and residents are now worried to step outside.

Anna Downs, 79, whose house is next to the destruction, said she thought her roof was caving in when she heard the tree fall.

She said: "I didn't know what it was but I thought the whole house was going down.

"It wasn't until someone knocked at the door that I realised the damage.

"I was petrified, it could have blown the other way and landed on the house. I'm not moving now, I'm too scared to go anywhere."

Road closures have also been put in place in Grange Road West, Birkenhead between Eastbourne Road and Exmouth Street after roof tiles and bricks were torn off buildings.

A fallen tree in Arrowebrook Road, Greasby, has also forced the road to be shut to traffic.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: "The strong winds appear to be causing some damage to trees and buildings across the borough.

"Calls from the public and emergency services are being received and we have Building Control Officers and other structural/building and highways staff out assessing damage.

"The council is working with the emergency services to temporarily close roads and areas where the risk of flying debris, roof tiles, etc, is greatest."

New Brighton's Coast Road was also closed due to a spring tide.

Also, a replacement bus service was running on Merseyrail between Birkenhead North and New Brighton due to fallen trees on the line at Wallasey Village and Wallasey Grove Road.

The line was suspended and reopened earlier today when a tree was blown across the rails. Later it was blocked for a second time due to another tree falling on tracks.

Services were not be able to call at the New Brighton-bound platform at Wallasey Village.

The service has now been reinstated.