Hundreds of trees felled by Shropshire storm

Communities were today counting the cost of the appalling weather – as it was revealed more high winds and torrential rain were on the way today.

Forty trees were felled at the National Trust's Attingham Park alone.

Fun events planned for this weekend at the park in Shrewsbury were cancelled as staff continued the clear-up.

Fiona Holman, events and marketing officer at Attingham, said: "After weather like this there's always a clear-up to do – and, more importantly, a range of safety checks to be carried out.

"The safety of our visitors has to be our absolute priority, so whilst we're disappointed to have to cancel some of our events, it means we can focus on keeping the park safe and opening up what we can."

A tree was felled on playing fields near the town's Our Lady and St Oswald's Catholic Primary School.

The once proud yew tree by the Boat Yard pub in Low Town, Bridgnorth, was blown down and was left lying in the water.

A large tree also damaged in the churchyard at St Simon and St Jude's in Cockshutt, near Ellesmere.

The churchyard has experienced problems with vandals damaging gravestones in the last 12 months.

Jim Davies, church warden, said: "

The common issue with this type of tree is its shallow roots. Until we get it shifted we can't see the exact damage it has caused. Luckily it hasn't caused damage to the church building. We have got the problem now of finding a tree specialist."

At Caersws Primary School, in Powys, two cars were crushed by trees.

Spokesman George Lewis said: "The cars were extensively damaged. The rear windows were broken. It was lucky there was nobody in them."

Several other roads in and around Oswestry remained closed, including the B4396 at Osbaston where a bridge was damaged. Shropshire Council said the road could be closed to up to a week to allow the bridge repairs to be carried out.

Other roads affected by fallen trees included Fox Lane at West Felton, the Knockin Heath to Kinnerley road and the B4579 at Selattyn.

In Telford, residents have been warned to stay away from wooded areas.

Spokesman Russell Griffin said: "Our wooded areas still have a lot of loose branches and we are advising people to avoid walking in them for next couple of days."