MORE than 1,000 homes across the region were left without power on Saturday due to the effect of Storm Brian.

At one stage, a power cut was affecting 724 properties in Newport, 362 homes in Caerphilly and three houses in Torfaen.

The first reports of power outages were confirmed by Western Power Distribution at just after 3.10pm on October 21.

It took a little over five hours to restore power to all the homes affected, which was reported at just after 8.20pm.

The strong winds also affected travel routes on the road and on the rail.

The M48 Severn Bridge was closed to all traffic from just after 7.50am, re-opening fully almost 14 hours later at before 9.50pm.

The high winds did not affect the M4 Second Severn Crossing, which served as part of the detour route while the older bridge was closed to traffic.

Train services between Newport and Cheltenham Spa were cancelled as were services between Cardiff and Crewe and Gloucester and Newport.

Throughout the Great Western Rail network, services were running slow than usual to cope with the blustery conditions.

Arriva Trains Wales operations were similarly affected between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff when a tree fell on the line, although there were no injuries reported as a result of the tree coming down.

Attractions such as The Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes near Caldicot were forced to close for safety reasons, due to the high winds.

A post on the visitor attraction’s Facebook page apologised for the inconvenience and stated ‘Blame Brian’.

Meanwhile in Newport, a crew from South Wales Fire and Rescue were called out following a report of a dangerous structure at the Grange Court flats complex on Bassaleg Road, Newport, opposite the Handpost pub.

The entrance arch to the flats’ inner courtyard was taped off until the firefighters made the structure safe.

Storm Brian attracted a yellow weather warning of wind from the Met Office, which remained in place from early on Saturday morning until midnight and there was a risk of flooding in some areas due to rain.