A “localised tornado” has caused significant damage all across the region over night.

Storm Gerrit battered the country over Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, with many people in Greater Manchester having had to leave their homes overnight.

People were mainly affected in the Stalybridge area in Tameside where police declared a major incident.

Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter from GMP said: “This incident has undoubtedly affected numerous people in the Stalybridge area with many residents displaced from their properties during the night.

“Our highest priority is keeping people safe which is why we are advising those who have been displaced not to return or enter their properties which have significant damage until they have been assessed by structural engineers.

“I would also like to urge members of the public to avoid the area where possible and take extra care when travelling in vehicles on the roads in Stalybridge and the surrounding areas, due to debris in the road.”

Greater Manchester Police said that the “localised tornado” had caused “significant damage” to homes in the area, but no injuries were reported.

The storm has also impacted the travel network with several train operators including ScotRail, LNER and Avanti West Coast suspending and stopping some services, as well as advising passengers not to travel.