STRONG winds caused chaos in the Cotswolds with fallen trees blocking roads and closing attractions.

Police were called at 12.20pm last Thursday after a large tree blew down in high winds on the B4068 near the Unicorn Hotel, in Stow.

Gloucestershire Highways were called to remove the tree which fell across both carriageways.

Batsford Arboretum also had to close for the day as a health and safety precaution. One of its oldest trees – thought to be 70 years old – came down in the high winds.

Meanwhile, landowners in Warwickshire with boundaries against highways were asked to check trees growing in them following last Thursday’s high winds.

Ken Simons, Warwickshire County Councils forestry officer, said: “The winds caused a number of tree-related incidents across Warwickshire.”