SEVENTY mile an hour winds caused chaos across the county yesterday as Storm Ciara swept in and battered Sussex.

Trampolines were blown on to railway lines and beaches were taped off as authorities sought to keep people safe in challenging conditions.

Powerful winds caused raging seas and sent waves crashing over the promenade and, in places, across the road.

Tonnes of shingle and pebbles were thrown on to the seafront.

Amber wind and “danger to life” warnings had been put in place by the Met Office across the South East for the duration of yesterday.

At about 11am, Coastguards used tape to cordon off the beaches either side of Brighton’s Palace Pier.

They stuck large, red flags in the stones warning people not to go on to the beach, but some reckless risk takers were seen ducking under the tape and walking to the water’s edge to take pictures.

Bosses at Brighton’s Palace Pier blocked off the west side of the attraction to keep visitors safe in the “dangerous high winds”.

A spokesman for the pier said: “We continually monitor the situation and we react accordingly.

“At the moment half of the pier is closed due to the high winds.”

Outside Brighton and Hove, police officers were overwhelmed with weather-related call-outs.

A Rother Police spokesman said there were “so many trees down around the county today that we have set up a weather desk” dedicated to handling reports of disruption caused by high winds.

Meanwhile in Worthing a large crane caused concern after residents saw it spinning “wildly” in the wind.

After receiving a flood of calls about it, Sussex Police reassured worried onlookers the crane did not pose a risk to anybody.

A spokesman said: “We have had a number of reports about the crane in Brighton Road, Worthing, turning in the high winds.

“Sussex Police have been in contact with the developers and the crane’s safety mechanism

is designed to let it move in the wind.”

Transport companies reported heavy delays as a result of the storm and a Southern Rail spokesman advised people to avoid travelling during the day as delays were likely.

Many routes ran reduced services and debris blown on to the tracks caused delays and cancellations.

Network Rail warned that, though the strongest winds were forecast for yesterday, disruption could continue into this morning.

Nick King, the company’s network services director, said: “We worked closely with our train operator partners to ensure passengers and freight are moved as safely and reliably as possible over the weekend and into Monday morning.

“But with such strong winds expected across large parts of the country, there will inevitably be some reduced services and speed restrictions in place.

“We advise passengers travelling on Monday to check their journeys before setting off.”

In one unusual case, a trampoline blew on to the tracks, forcing Network Rail staff to spring into action to remove it.

The company called in extra staff to remove the obstruction after it blew on to the line in Chelsfield, south London, yesterday morning.

A spokesman said they were “working to remove it but would need further staff to assist given its size”.

Platforms five and six at Gatwick railway station were closed due to a “loose roof”.

The weather also meant delays and cancellations of flights at Gatwick Airport.

Hundreds of travellers were affected after bosses put safety measures in place their safety, causing the cancellation of about 40 flights.

One EasyJet flight which was arriving at the airport had two missed approaches as it attempted to land in the high winds.

It was forced to divert to Manchester and sent an emergency signal on approach to the city, likely due to low fuel.

All ferry services between Newhaven and Dieppe were cancelled.

Buildings also took a battering during the storm.

King’s School in Hove announced it would be shut today after the extreme conditions damaged its roof.

A spokeswoman said: “The high winds from Storm Ciara have caused significant damage to the school building which needs to be made safe by contractors before the school can safely open to students and staff.”

She said the school was hoping to be back open by tomorrow.

In Eastbourne, residents were warned to steer clear of the remains of a seafront hotel which was destroyed by fire.

The Claremont Hotel in Grand Parade was ravaged by the blaze in November. It ripped through the roof and inside of the building, leaving only the walls.

Fire crews had previously warned the Grade II listed structure “remained unstable” and Eastbourne Borough Council did not take any chances in the rough weather.

A spokesman said yesterday: “Due to the amber wind warning, please

avoid the immediate area of the Claremont Hotel as there could be falling debris.

“We are on site and monitoring the situation.”

Brighton and Hover City Council recognised the effect the appalling weather could have on rough sleepers in the city.

The authority opened its homeless shelter, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, at Brighton Town Hall throughout the day, as well as on Saturday and Sunday night.

There are not further weather warnings currently in place in Brighton and Hove for the rest of the week and forecasters say wind speeds are set to drop below 30mph by Wednesday.