Train cancellations as wind and rain batter Devon and Cornwall

Yellow wind and rain warnings are in place across Devon and Cornwall as severe weather led to stormy seas, cancelled trains and event disruption.

The Torbay half marathon and 10km (6.2 miles) races were cancelled amid safety concerns, and sites including Wildwood animal park in Ottery St Mary, and the Minack Theatre in Penzance, have shut their doors.

With wind gusts predicted to reach 60mph in some areas, photographer Greg Martin captured waves battering South Pier and lashing the lighthouse at Newlyn harbour in Cornwall.

Meanwhile, rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) suspended all services between Exeter St Davids and Penzance on Sunday afternoon, with all lines blocked due to “severe weather”.

The Met Office said rain was expected to develop across the South West and South Wales on Sunday morning, easing during the second half of Sunday night.

Wind gusts of up to 60mph were predicted in the most exposed areas, with coastal areas hit hardest and for the longest periods.

The wind warning is place until 23.59 BST on Sunday, while the rain warning is due to end on Monday morning at 09:00.

There were flood alerts on Sunday in the River Axe, Rivers Otter and Sid areas and between Dawlish Warren and Seaton, and Start Point and Dawlish Warren.

Numerous cancelled events included ParkLive in Falmouth, Woolacombe beach clean, Torpoint Street Market and the Minack Theatre, perched on the Cornish cliffs of Porthcurno said on social media it had closed due to high winds with ticket holders to contact them directly.

North Devon Yacht Club said: “Sunday’s race is cancelled as there is a severe weather warning of gusts to 50mph. Tie your boats down and hold onto your hats!”

GWR said disruption, including cancellations and delays, was expected “until the end of the day”, with an update on Sunday afternoon warning of suspended services between Exeter St David’s, Plymouth and Penzance.

“We are currently advising passengers not to travel between Exeter St David’s, Plymouth and Penzance, due to severe weather in the Dawlish area and across Cornwall,” it said.

“As a result, train services between these locations are currently suspended, and we have not been able to secure any replacement road transport.”

The line between Crediton and Okehampton was closed on Sunday morning for more than an hour after a train hit a tree, which was felled by strong winds.

Greg Martin, a photographer from Penzance who captured dramatic coastal scenes of foamy waves crashing into a pier in Cornwall, said: “It’s been a grotty day of weather here in Penzance and Newlyn today.

“Often, these unnamed storms that blow in from the south hit us the hardest and although this wasn’t a big storm, the strong winds and rough seas will mean people living along the prom will probably be picking seaweed out of their gardens for days.

“It’s a reminder for us all that winter is just around the corner.”