STORMS, gale force winds and floods have hit the National Trust badly at all its properties in the Lake District.

A large number of trees have been lost and many roads were impassable over the weekend.

AN NT Trust spokesman revealed the full extent of the damage in the following statement:

At Sizergh Castle, there are various trees down, tile damage and what is thought to be the tallest Austrian Pine in Cumbria now is about half its size. The property managed to drop the pond levels after the weather warning on Thursday, so didn't experience the major flooding they had had last February.

Wordsworth House in Cockermouth is right next to the River Derwent which burst it's banks, the garden had water which was knee deep and flooded toilets but the property team managed to sandbag enough to stop it getting into the cellars.

On the Hawkshead property, reports of major tree loss;

Strawberry Gardens Holiday cottages are sandbagged but probably will be flooded;

Wray Castle, grounds and access road were all closed; major tree loss and unsafe trees left at Wray - people were still climbing in over the barriers; there was major flooding at Basecamp and Low Wray campsite and general major tree damage.

At Windermere, St. Catherine's' reports major tree loss with some very large trees down; the drive is impassable. At Fell Foot, again, major tree loss, and several boats washed onto the shore - the timber boat house on the shore has disappeared under water; the Tea Room and Shop are totally flooded; various trees fell onto boats both in the boat yard and on the water; a huge beech tree has fallen by the shore line with several others hung or leaning.

At Borrowdale again, major tree loss; A Derwentwater Launch has blown on shore and is wedged into Derwent Island; there are 3 major landslips around Derwent Water, and hundreds of trees down.

At Millbeck Towers a ceiling has collapsed and the property is currently out of action; Great Wood car park is closed as many trees are down here.

Ullswater, Buttermere and Western Valleys have suffered major wind damage and the loss of hundreds of trees and much loss of power supply and telephones.

A track up to Aira Force is closed because of a fallen tree and incredibly high floods have caused dry stone wall losses of at least 200 yards. There has been extensive damage to Aira Force Arboretum.

At Coniston and Tarn Hows, many trees are down and roads are impassable; generally major flood and wind damage.

At Langdale the Campsite and was flooded on Friday night and the waters are now receding slightly. The campsite was blocked with fallen trees and is currently close while damage is re-assessed. The wind damage to trees in Langdale is said to be the worst in living memory.

The National Trust's property and forestry teams are now working flat out and have been all over the weekend to try and clear the debris and make safe the damage, as far as is possible, as more gales and rain are forecast.

We are strongly advising visitors to stay away from wooded areas; there have been many reports of people leaving cars in dangerous locations (e.g. under damaged or hanging trees). As so much of the forestry and woodland will now be in an unstable condition, walkers are advised to think before they travel and use their own judgement when deciding whether or not it is safe to visit and to walk.

If they come across a 'Closed' sign it will be there for a reason, and should be respected. Even if a woodland appears stable, there may be loose boughs, or unsafe large trees, which could be loosened with much lesser winds.