Thousands of homes are still without power across Norfolk and Suffolk after strong winds caused widespread damage across the region.

Eastern Daily Press: Oak tree falls down in Oak Street, Norwich following high winds. Photo: David SmithOak tree falls down in Oak Street, Norwich following high winds. Photo: David Smith (Image: Archant)

As of 11pm 1,500 homes were without power in Norfolk and a further 2,000 in Suffolk.

UK Power Networks engineers have already restored power to more than 135,000 properties in the East of England today, after winds of more than 70mph damaged trees and overhead power lines.

The company has extra engineers working to clear the damage and restore the power as quickly as possible.

MORE: Police receive more than 1,000 calls as 80mph gusts cause disruption across Norfolk

Dan Holley, forecaster at Weatherquest in Norwich, said 83mph winds had been recorded at Tibenham - the strongest in the region for five years.

Numerous roads have been affected by downed trees, schools have been closed and trains and flights have been cancelled.

The destructive gale-force winds will be replaced with freezing temperatures across Norfolk in the coming days.

MORE: Freezing temperatures to replace gale-force winds across Norfolk

The mercury is expected to drop to -2C on Friday morning, with winds picking up to 30mph.

Temperatures will increase slightly in the afternoon to 4C to 5C and there is a chance of showers.

Saturday is forecast to get off to an even colder start, with temperatures dropping to -3C.