CHAOS descended across South Lakeland at the weekend as severe downpours and ferocious winds caused widespread flooding and damage to property.

More than eight inches of rain fell in 36 hours on Friday, causing the River Kent to burst its banks in what has been declared the worst floods to hit some parts of Cumbria in 40 years.

Around 600 properties in South Lakeland were still without electricity on Monday after gusts of up to 80mph brought pylons crashing down.

That figure was much higher at the weekend in the wake of the winds, which saw a total of 70,000 properties in Cumbria without electricity including homes and businesses in Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.

In Kendal, businesses on Mintsfeet Industrial Estate was left counting the cost of flood damage after the River Kent burst its banks in sections at around midnight.

Scores of properties in Silverdale Drive, Lowther Park and Calder Drive were spared flooding after South Lakeland District Council deployed pumps to keep rising water levels at bay.

SLDC environmental protection manager Mark Richardson said no homes in Kendal had flooded, although it was close.

"The flood water stopped about one or two inches from entering homes," he said.

"If the rain had not stopped at about 1am then we would have seen homes in Silverdale Drive, Lowther Park and Calder Drive flood simultaneously."

Castle Park School was less lucky, with rainwater spilling into the Key Stage One building damaging the carpets and forcing partial closure on Monday.

High winds also wreaked havoc in the town and across the region.

Fallen trees, combined with floodwater, blocked many roads making access to Milnthorpe, Windermere and Ambleside and Hawkshead impossible for brief periods.

The A591 northbound near Kendal was closed well into Sunday evening while floodwater was pumped away.

Around 70 boats were ripped from their moorings on Windermere, being either blown out into the lake or on to the shore.

Damage was caused to the roof of Queen Katherine School in Kendal, forcing its closure to all students except sixth formers sitting exams on Monday, while also on Monday, Grasmere Primary School was shut in the wake of the weather.

Bus and train services were also hit by the weather, resulting in limited services.

Problems on the railways were further compounded by electrical faults at Oxenholme on Sunday and Monday.

Yesterday (Tuesday) the River Kent and South Lakeland catchment area had been downgraded in the Environment Agency flood alert system, although further high winds were expected to batter the region again last night and into today (Wednesday). Warnings were also issued for sea storm surges, resulting in SLDC preparing to sandbag parts of Ulverston and Sandside, near Arnside.

For further information and advice visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

l More storm pictures in the Photo Gallery section and don't miss this Friday's edition of The Westmorland Gazette edition for a fuller gales and floods disruption round-up.