HIGH winds have brought chaos to Bradford city centre with damage to two large buildings which caused a road closure and public transport diversions.

Police were alerted to problems at 1 The Interchange, a large office block alongside Nelson Street, around 2pm and closed the road as a safety precaution.

Cosmetic cladding around the edge of the building's flat roof had been ripped away by the ferocity of a gusting wind and another was left hanging loose.

Bus services had to be diverted on Jacobs Well, Hall Ings and Bridge Street, with police officers blocking both ends of the street and guiding pedestrians away.

Another section of panelling was torn away about 90 minutes later.

Bradford Council was also forced to close the Britannia House customer service centre nearby after an internal ceiling collapsed.

That too was blamed on wind getting inside the building and dislodging tiles in the ceiling.

The centre was closed for the day and it remained unclear whether it would be back in service tomorrow.

At best, the council was expecting to be able to offer only a limited service from the site.

Meanwhile, the strong winds also led to all flights in and out of Leeds Bradford Airport being suspended.

A spokesman for the airport said it had been hit by gusts of up to 50 knots, causing delays and a number of cancellations.

Passengers are being urged to check with their airlines before travelling, although it is hoped flights can be resumed later this afternoon.

"The winds have affected the whole of Yorkshire," said the spokesman.

"It is very frustrating for passengers trying to fly over the Christmas period, but we are hopeful of getting flights back underway later this afternoon."

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