High winds have caused structural damage to buildings and brought down trees around North Kent.

Emergency Crews were called to Alderman House - a block of flats in Ingress Park, Greenhithe - at around 9.30am on Sunday morning, after gale force winds ripped away part of the roof.

Kent Fire and Rescue sent three pumps, a height vehicle and a technical rescue crew to help make the building safe.

A large amount of metal on the roof was thought to be at risk of falling and nearby residents have been warned to keep away from the area and stay indoors.

Police in Dartford tweeted: "A cordon is in place and we are at the scene while @kentfirerescue deal with a report of debris falling from a building in Carmichael Ave, #Greenhithe.

"Please avoid the area and use alternative routes. Residents living nearby are also advised to stay indoors."

Meanwhile in Gravesend, Cascades Leisure in Centre in Thong Lane also lost part of its roof in the high winds.

Kent County Council confirmed the leisure centre had been evacuated.

The leisure centre posted on Facebook: "Cascades Leisure Centre is closed today due to high winds causing damage to the roof of the building.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, our customers and staff safety is our priority.

"We will update you as soon as we can reopen the site. Thank you."

Firefighters were also called at 9.20am to a house in Stanley Road, Northfleet, where the wind had pulled a pipe away from the side of a house.
Crews gained access with a ladder and cut half of the pipe away before making the scene safe.

In Greenhithe a large tree was brought down near the telephone exchange off London Road.