GALE force winds and heavy rain swept across the area over the weekend but Lancaster and Morecambe escaped with little more than superficial damage.

While thousands of people in Carlisle, Kendal and North and West Yorkshire were hit by devastating floods and there was also widespread flooding in the Lune valley, the only reports of damage came on Saturday when the Lune overflowed in Lancaster city centre.

Properties were affected with the fire brigade on hand to pump them out when the water levels dropped.

The wind was the main problem with scores of slates smashing to the ground and countless trees tumbling over as gales hit around 80mph.

Morecambe fire fighters were on hand to remove a tree that crashed down on Lancaster Road, Morecambe, while Ryelands Park in Lancaster was hit by numerous fallen trees.

"There were a number of minor problems but nothing that really involved the police," says a police spokesman. "We have had no reports of major damage or serious injury."

In all, around 100 trees were blown over across the district meaning a busy weekend for the city council's contract services team.

The Lancaster to Morecambe cycle path was badly affected, while trees also came down in Scotforth cemetery and seven streetlights were blown over in the gales.

The council also had problems with broken glass at the Platform in Morecambe, while the resort's Festival Market was closed on Saturday due to safety fears.

In Lancaster, flashings on the roof of the Maritime Museum came loose and a cowl to the ventilation system blew off the roof of Palatine Hall.

There was minor damage to the scout hut at King George's Playing Fields Lancaster, and public toilets at Bolton-le-Sands.

Meanwhile, DS Mark Salisbury has warned householders to be vigilant against would-be bogus workmen.

"Often when there has been bad weather some people will turn up at a house and say that some slates are off," says DS Salisbury.

"In many cases there may be minimal damage but these people can often charge a fortune and I would ask people, especially those with elderly or infirm rela-tives, to keep an eye on them to stop this sort of thing happening."

Morecambe was battered by high winds but the Shrimps' home Conference clash with Canvey Island beat the wind despite earlier safety concerns.

Christie Park saw a wall blown over on the car wash side of the ground and the roof blown off a toilet block in the early hours.

And a 32-foot portable office building was blow around three feet away from its normal position.