TREES fell like ninepins overnight as winds whistled across Teignbridge and the rest of Devon.

The dawn chorus was interrupted by the din of chainsaws as the worst obstructions were cleared in Chudleigh, Teignmouth, Shaldon and Chudleigh Knighton.

Early morning rush-hour traffic was re-routed as highway workers set about cutting up the fallen giants.

Just after 4am, a large tree was uprooted just outside Long Park House at Breakneck Hill in Teignmouth.

Police were able to remove smaller branches to allow some traffic through near a bend in the road which made the incident hazardous.

Just before 6am a 40ft long tree with many branches blocked both carriageways just past the Finlake junction at Chudleigh Knighton. The B3344 was clear by 7.30am.

In Kingsteigtnon the obstruction was man-made as a large plastic container was blown on to the approach to the new South Devon Link Road. It was removed safely just before 9am.

The Chudleigh drama involved the removal of a small tree which took a tumble outside Watercress Farm.

It came to rest on power cables, prompting a response from Western Power to make the scene safe.

At Shaldon contractors were able to cut up a big tree which fell just outside Woodleigh Park at 7.15am.

The road was re-opened by 8am.