Staff have been working to repair damage to power lines

At its height, 150,000 customers in the North East and Yorkshire were left without power, but by Tuesday morning the majority had been reconnected.

Staff from electricity firms NEDL and YEDL have been working around the clock to restore supplies.

But the companies said they were braced for more damage to power lines with high winds forecast again for Tuesday.

An NEDL/YEDL spokesman said on Tuesday morning that just over 400 homes in County Durham and just over 700 in Teesside and North Yorkshire were still without power.

Roof damaged

He said: "It is mainly isolated pockets which are still affected. Staff have been working hard to restore supplies. We have now got it down to manageable areas.

"But what is worrying for us is that the news from the Met Office is not good and it is forecasting gales."

He said helicopters and extra staff were on standby.

Students at the University of Teesside are unable to use the library after high winds blew off part of the roof.

The Learning and Resource Centre (LRC), which houses computer work stations as well as the library, is expected to be closed until Wednesday.

Alternative quiet study space has been made available on the campus.

And after talks with the Students' Union, it has been agreed there should be a seven-day extension for in-course assessments due in January.

The Saltersgill Sports Ground is out of action until further notice.