Severe weather warnings were in place across Sussex today as winds of up to 70mph battered the county.

The Met Office says the powerful winds and torrential rain could continue tonight and into tomorrow morning and could cause flooding.

Waves pounded the beach at Brighton today as trees were uprooted across the county and rescue services dealt with damaged buildings and power lines.

Passengers had to leave a number 27 bus in Saltdean this morning when a strong gust of wind pushed the front window on the upper deck out of its frame.

Paula Bowen was travelling to work at the BT offices in Preston Park from her home in Saltdean.

She said: "I was just sitting there when I heard screams from upstairs and then saw the window blowing away across the road.

"Everyone was really shaken up and upset. It just came out of nowhere. Luckily the window did not hit a pedestrian or a car or someone could have been badly hurt.

"We all had to get off the bus and the wind was really strong. I had to hang on to the bus stop to stop myself from being blown over. It was very scary."

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said the window was being repaired this morning and the bus would be on the road again quickly.

He said: "It seems the gust of wind which came in when the doors opened forced the window out. Passengers inside were not hurt.

"This is extremely rare. I have never heard of anything like this happening before."

East Sussex Highways Department contractors were working at full stretch to clear roads of uprooted trees, including the B2116 Offham to Ditchling road after a beech fell and hit a car.

No one was injured.

An EDF Energy team was called in when another tree came down on the B2026 at Hartfield, bringing down power lines.

A large elm in Wish Road opposite Wish Park, Hove, blocked the road, while East Sussex Fire Brigade also dealt with a sheet metal roof which had come off a building in Norwich Drive, Bevendean, Brighton.

On Hove seafront, a beach hut was blown over the sea wall on to the pitch and putt course below.

West Sussex Fire Service has also been kept busy with a number of incidents including a fallen tree in Sackville Lane, East Grinstead, and a marquee in London Road, Balcombe, which was ripped from its tethers.

Crews were also called in to secure a large metal roof on the Keymer Brick and Tile Company, Nye Road, Burgess Hill.

The B2036 was blocked between the M23 and the Cowdray Arms when a tree fell and hit a car. Fire crews were called to clear the wreckage.

Christmas lights in Chichester were torn from their mountings in the city centre, while at Newhaven, Transmanche Ferries had to cancel its Channel crossing this morning.

The ferry was due to leave at 8am for Dieppe but was cancelled because of the rough sea caused by the southerly wind.

The ferry company was monitoring sailing conditions to decide whether this afternoon's crossing would go ahead.