STORM ARWEN: Sunderland Council takes more than 400 calls as weather wreaks havoc with huge waves battering Roker Pier and car covered in bricks in Gloucester Avenue

People are being advised to only travel if essential and stay away from the beaches and promenade at Sunderland' s seafront where huge waves have battered Roker Pier, which is closed to the public.

Strong winds are expected to continue for much of the day, with a Met Office yellow warning for wind in place until 6pm, bringing with it the potential for further travel disruption and damage.

A statement from the local authority said: “The City Council has taken more than 400 calls overnight and this morning as the community awoke to the full force of Storm Arwen.

"Council teams worked throughout the night alongside the emergency services to tackle problems caused by the storm and are continuing to work to full capacity today to support communities. People are being asked to be patient as the council works through the large volume of calls.”

IN PICTURES: Scenes of devastation across Sunderland after Storm Arwen arrives

Calls have included damage to trees, buildings, businesses and residential properties. In Gloucester Avenue, Roker, one car could be seen covered in bricks which had fallen from the side of a property. And there were similar scenes in St John’s Terrace, in East Boldon.

There is also widespread disruption to transport with services suspended across Tyne and Wear Metro and a number of rail services also affected and there is lots of debris on the roads so people are being advised to only go out if their journey is essential.

Further down the coast, high waves also hit Seaham Harbour while in the town there were also instances of fallen trees damaging cars.