Hambledon echoed to the sound of chain saws today as local volunteers cleared trees blocking the villages’s roads.

Parts of Hambledon were left without power this morning, particularly along Vann Lane beyond the cricket green. An oak has been brought down by last night’s storm and is lying acoss the road beside the track to Oakhurst Cottage. It is blocking the road and has brought down electricity cables.

It is a large tree and it will need to be cleared by contractors.  Surrey County Council highways department has been informed, but with hundreds of trees down across the county it is likely to be some while before it is dealt with.

People should use Woodlands Road to gain access to Vann Lane.

Two beech trees blocked Malthouse Lane between the village hall and the Cricket Green turning. Tim Coleman, Arthur Frearson and Stewart Payne used chainsaws to clear the road which was reopened by 9 am.

The village shop has power and is open as usual.

No trains were running from Milford or Witley stations and South West Trains, which suspended all services as a safety precaution as the anticipated hurricane swept in, said it would be several hours before services were reinstated, possibly by this afternoon.