County hockey event in Atherstone cancelled by Storm Ciara forecast as transport links braced for disruption

Storm Ciara claimed a major sporting casualty in Atherstone before the predicted 80mph winds hit the area.

Atherstone Adders Hockey Club cancelled its Warwickshire Mini Tournament for under 10s, under 12s and under 14s ahead of the feared disruption to travel.

The Sunday prestige sporting event – at the Queen Elizabeth Academy in the town for young hockey players across the county – was scheduled to start at 9.30am and finish around 3pm

The club, which plays its home games on the town senior school's astroturf pitch, had been hopeful of a big attendance in terms of parent supporters of participating teams.

Rail services to and from Atherstone railway station were also affected by the storm forcecasts as the Met Office's yellow weather warning for wind came in place at midday on Saturday.

CrossCountry Trains advised its customers to avoid travelling throughout Sunday "if at all possible" as Rail Network imposed a 50mph speed restriction across the UK.

Atherstone and district passengers heading west and north on Sunday were informed that all trains between Birmingham New Street and Cardiff Central were cancelled and an amended service between Birmingham and York, Manchester Picadilly, Reading and Bristol Temple Meads.

A CrossCountry spokesman said: "We will be running a significantly reduced service on Sunday.

"We are splitting our routes into core areas so that potential delays to one region does not spread to another."

As a result of the forecast, it has issued a Severe Weather Alert for gales across the entire Highways England network covering ALL regions of the country.

The 50-60mph winds have blown through the area overnight and a severe warning will be in force from 8am until 9pm on Sunday.

If you, or your organisation, is directly affected by Storm Ciara today then let us know by emailing [email protected]