UK high winds fan moorland fires

The gales are set to blow themselves out by Sunday morning

High winds battering parts of the UK have caused the escalation of fires on moorland in North Yorkshire.

Some 35 fire engines, more than 150 firefighters and 10 support vehicles were involved in tackling four blazes in the Danby and Goathland areas.

The Met Office issued a warning of "severe or extreme weather" affecting an area stretching from Tayside to Cumbria and Northumberland.

Winds were hitting 60 or 70mph during the afternoon, forecasters said.

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene of the fires for several hours but the high winds are forecast to die down during the night.

The Met Office warning affected the Strathclyde, Central, Fife, Tayside, Lothian and Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regions of Scotland, along with Cumbria and Northumberland in England.

Drivers should check with Traffic Scotland or the Highways Agency in England for advice on road conditions, the warning states.

The AA said motorists should keep their speed down in windy conditions, and also be aware of vehicles being blown into their path as well as the potential for debris blocking the road.

Stornoway coastguard received a call for help from the 65ft yacht Elina, which suffered a gearbox failure in storm force winds.

The boat was forced to anchor in the remote Loch Tealasbhaigh, on the west side of the Isle of Lewis, and a coastguard helicopter airlifted five non-essential members of the 13-strong crew off the vessel.

Play at the Dunhill Links golf tournament - being played at three Scottish courses - was postponed for the day due to the high winds.

The tournament, in which famous names team up with professionals, is being held at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.