Bank squally after 80mph Storm Lilian days sweeps in causing sweeps in causing power cuts and travel chaos

AS Storm Lilian left destruction in its wake, battered Britons were warned of more chaos over the bank holiday weekend.

- Helen Barnett

Thousands of homes lost power while some roads and train lines were left impassable by downed trees, ruining getaways.

British Airways cancelled a flurry of flights as Lilian's 80mph squalls caused air traffic controllers to ground planes at Heathrow while music fans were told to "stay in your tents" at Leeds Festival as gusts raged through the site.

Organisers had to shut the BBC Radio 1, Aux and Chevron stages with all perfor mances cancelled. One festival-goer wrote on X: "This is actual hell, everyone's tents are broken, it's not safe."

Videos showed camping gear and debris flying through the air while parts of the perimeter fence fell on empty tents and smashed a van window.

Singer-songwriter Alfie Templeman had his set cancelled and posted: "Multiple stages are no longer standing." The festival arena reopened to music fans by mid-afternoon.