Sandbags issued as storms, heavy rain and high tides converge

STORMS and heavy rain battered Scotland last night, with the Met Office warning of winds of over 70mph. The River Leven in Dumbarton burst its banks last night, while flood warnings were issued in Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway and Helensburgh.

On Islay, residents of Port Ellen were issued with sandbags as high tides threatened dozens of homes along a stretch of seafront half a mile long.

Resident Gavin Miller, 27, said: "It's the worst I've seen. We've been up just now helping the elderly residents with sandbags."

Met office forecaster Charles Powell said: "We have seen 60-65mph winds all in the south-west of Scotland with gusts of up to 70mph." In mountain areas gusts were reaching 80mph.