Strong winds gusting at up to 70mph caused chaos in many parts of the Bradford district.

The worst weather came between about 4pm and 10pm last night, with trains and flights cancelled, trees uprooted, roads closed, power lines falling down, and debris flying around.

A silver Nissan Qashqai was badly damaged when a tree fell on it in a car park at Bingley Pool. The car park was covered in fallen branches and logs as the wind took hold.

In Apperley Bridge, a motorist had a lucky escape when a power line came down and landed on a car.

The incident happened on Apperley Lane, near the Stansfield Arms pub, at 5.50pm.

The road was closed in both directions and diversions were put in place for motorists.

A police spokesman said the power line was not sparking, but was in the road. Northern Powergrid were called to the scene to isolate the power.

A crash and subsequent closure of the M62 near junction 22 (Rishworth Moor) caused misery for motorists into the evening.

At one point, traffic was snaking all the way back onto the M606 at Bradford. High winds at Scammonden Dam caused a lorry to overturn, blocking two lanes of the M62 westbound, at about 3.30pm.

Soon after the crash, the Highways Agency closed the motorway to high-sided vehicles in both directions between junctions 22 and 24 (Ainley Top). High-sided vehicles were banned between junctions 19 and 24 later last night.

A police spokesman who had been to the scene said the wind was the worst he had ever experienced and people were struggling to stand up.

However, he added that some lorries were ignoring the motorway closure and driving through regardless.

He also said there had been several minor bumps in the district caused by the weather. Police were also called to a roof being blown off a building on Manningham Lane, Bradford, at 8.30pm last night.

No-one was been hurt, although part of Manningham Lane was closed off.

Metro Travel tweeted: “The 737 service is being diverted from Manningham Lane onto Lumb Lane in Bradford, due to unsafe building.”

Bridge Street and Drake Street in Bradford city centre were closed by police after a sign came loose on the side of the Great Victoria Hotel. Police were also concerned about loose lead-flashing on the hotel.

Bus services to and from the Interchange were diverted via Hall Ings and Nelson Street. Firefighters were called to secure the loose sign. Both roads were still closed at 10pm last night and police were urging people to avoid the area.

The strong winds took off part of the roof at St John Primary School in Beacon Road, Bradford. Head teacher Kath Spillane said rain was pouring into the school hall.

A fallen tree forced the closure of Butt Lane in Haworth at about 5.55pm. Another tree also closed Drub Lane in Cleckheaton.

Trains between Leeds and Ilkley were cancelled for a couple of hours due to strong winds affecting overhead lines. Rail services were also suspended at Forster Square due to overhead line damage.