Inspector David McMullinRESIDENTS in Wiltshire are being warned to prepare themselves for another battering from gale force winds this week.

The county has escaped the worst affects of severe stormy weather, which ravaged other parts of the country over the weekend.

Gusts of up to 50mph swept through the area on Friday and Saturday but no major incidents were reported.

A spokesman for the Met Office in Bracknell said similar wind speeds and rain are expected to hit the town early this week. More settled weather is not expected until Thursday or Friday.

Elsewhere in Britain motorways and minor roads were closed as lorries overturned, trees were uprooted and chimney stacks were toppled by 90mph gusts.

Police are investigating the deaths of three people in Carlisle where thousands have been evacuated from their homes and power has been cut after heavy flooding and high winds battered the area. Up to 228mm (nine inches) of rain fell in the region over two days.

A ferry forced aground by hurricane-force winds was refloated yesterday after more than 30 hours at sea.

The P&O ferry from Larne, Northern Ireland, to Cairnryan, south west Scotland, ran aground with 43 passengers on board on Saturday morning.

And the worst of this week's weather is again expected to hit northern Britain.

"The front sat over the north west of Wales and Carlisle area for 24 to 48 hours," said the Met Office spokesman.

"During this time a lot of the rain fell on the slopes of higher ground the run off caused the flooding.

"Another storm is heading our way and another battering is expected. Swindon has got off quite lightly and we are expecting more of the same."

Another two people were missing in West Yorkshire and Morayshire, Scotland, after they were swept away in swollen rivers.

Thousands of other homes, including many in the south, have suffered lengthy power cuts.

But Inspector David McMullin, of Swindon Police, agreed that the town had escaped the worst of the weather.

"There have been a few trees down and debris in the road but nothing major," he said.

"Swindon Council has been excellent by coming out and dealing with things soon after they happen.

"I was looking at the log yesterday and there were only about seven to eight weather-related incidents and none of them were serious. And I'm not aware of any major collisions in the area."

Wiltshire Fire Brigade also said there had been no major incidents.

Firefighters were called to Manor Farm in Castle Eaton, near Cricklade, on Saturday morning after receiving reports that a barn roof was in danger of being blown off.

With the help of the farmer, the roof sheeting was tied down.

Ben Payne