HURRICANE winds exceeding 100mph battered Britain and Ireland as Storm Eowyn caused travel disruption and left thousands without power across Scotland and Ireland.

Rail services, flights and ferries have been cancelled as rare red weather warnings were in place in Scotland.

A gust of 100mph was recorded at Drumalbin in South Lanarkshire in Scotland and a record-breaking 114mph was measured in Mace Head, Co Galway, Ireland.

The storm forced hundreds of schools and nurseries across Scotland to close as First Minister John Swinney warned people not to travel.

Labour MSP for the West of Scotland Katy Clark said: “Public safety must be paramount as we continue to face harsh weather conditions.

“The safety of workers has got to be a critical part of that.

“Alarmingly, I’ve discovered that there are workers, particularly in the hospitality sector, who are being told to stay away from work without pay.

“It’s outrageous to dock the wages of employees who are being told not to come into work by their bosses.

“Given the pressures on incomes during the winter with rising fuel bills and other hardships, it’s critical that the incomes of workers are protected.”