Scaffolding around a shopping centre has been torn down due to poor weather conditions caused by Storm Gerrit.

Fire crews were called to the centre in Swanley Square yesterday afternoon (December 27) as high winds battered the county.

Emma Wenden, store manager of the nearby Iceland, said: "We heard a massive bang so ran to see what it was. We saw it in that state at around 4.30pm.”

This morning, fire crews confirmed four engines, a height vehicle and a technical rescue unit attended the call.

The centre was evacuated and made safe before duty of care was passed over to landowners. There were no injuries reported.

This followed an announcement from Leeds Castle that its festive illumination trail would be closed due to the weather.

A spokesman for the event, which has been taking place on the grounds near Maidstone, said: “Tonight’s ticket holders will be contacted shortly by See Tickets and informed of the re-booking process.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

There has so far been no update to the event for December 28.

The Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle is currently running for its second year and allows visitors to walk the grounds and see the festive displays.

It began on November 24 and is continuing until New Year's Eve.

Some visitors have been left disappointed by the decision to cancel tonight's show.

One person said on social media: “Annoyingly we’ve been here all day and only got an email while in the cafe a few minutes ago!

“Now, as my grandson and son were visiting, they won’t be able to see it as have to go home tomorrow morning.”

It comes after a yellow storm warning for high winds was issued by the Met Office which is in place until 6pm as gusts of up to 70mph are expected in some areas.

There were delays at the Port of Dover today, with passengers having to wait up to three hours.

This was also hindered by staff sickness at French border control.