ENGINEERS cleared a tree which crashed into a power line in the storms which lashed the south coast today (Monday).

This happened on the B3006 Selborne Road at the junction with the A3.

The A339 was closed while the work took place. It reopened at 9.30am.

The south east took a battering, especially on the coast, with Southsea seafront closed and 200 homes in the Chichester area without power.

Petersfield and East Hampshire escaped the worst of the conditions, although homeowners, drivers and shopkeepers were on full alert after warnings from the police, Highways Agency, Fire and Rescue and Hampshire County Council about keeping safe.