Shoppers in Wiltshire are battlling strong winds and heavy rain today as a violent storm sweeps across the country in the run-up to Christmas.

Conditions have also caused some travel delays in the county for those planning a Christmas getaway.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: “We are advising people to travel earlier rather than later if they can and to make sure they check our website for the latest details on cancellations.

“Network Rail has imposed some speed restrictions that will have a knock-on affect to some of the services, but the best thing to do is check online before you travel.”

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning running into Christmas Eve due to gale force gusts of up to 80mph and flooding caused by torrential rain.

Wiltshire Council’s highways team has already dealt with a few minor callouts involving fallen tree branches, but there have been no major incidents as yet.

Wiltshire Councillor John Thomson, cabinet member for highways, said: “Our teams are working closely with partner organisations to keep the highways clear during this bad weather.

"The hard work will continue as we strive to make sure our roads and footways stay as clear as possible.”

Police in Marlborough are currently dealing with blocked roads, caused by fallen trees, on the A4192 at Whittenditch, in Ramsbury, the A338 at Shalbourne and the A346 at Leigh Hill. 

Sergeant Barry Reed said: "We are experiencing a large number of reports of blocked roads following collisions and fallen trees, due to the weather conditions in the Marlborough/Pewsey area.

"Please be patient, Emergency Services are currently on route or at scene of these incidents."

Firefighters have also been called to a number of flooding-related incidents across Wiltshire in the past few days.

A crew from Warminster was called to the Mamilla takeaway last Wednesday  in the Market Place and helped mop up flood water before the council’s environmental health team arrived.

On Saturday crews from Trowbridge used an aqua vac to clear water from aflooded ground floor property on The Midlands, Holt at 11am.

They also attended a flood at the Albany Palace pub on Park Road at 1.50pm. At 6.20pm a crew visited the scene of a flood in Brokerswood, which was caused by the pump on a septic tank.

Anyone wishing to report a highways issue to Wiltshire Council can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highwaysreportingform, call 0800 232323 or log it on the My Wiltshire free smartphone app.

For further weather updates visit @WiltshireWinter twitter account.