Residents in Jersey have been forced to leave their homes and more than 300 schools in southern England have closed as Storm Ciarán brings winds of more than 100mph to Britain.

Thirty-nine people and their eight pets were relocated to alternative accommodation in the early hours of Thursday and a red weather warning remains in place for the Channel Islands where 102mph gusts have been recorded.

A major incident has also been declared in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight where schools will remain shut on Thursday while children across Devon and Cornwall will also remain at home.

Around 51 schools in Southampton, four in the Isle of Wight, 224 in Devon, 22 in Cornwall; nine in East Sussex, and 10 in Dorset are to close - along with all schools in Jersey.

It comes after Storm Ciarán arrived on the south coast at around 6pm on Wednesday bringing the threat of widespread floods and travel chaos. Commuters in southern England have been urged to work from home on Thursday.