COMMUTERS were faced with torrential rain, strong winds, fallen trees and a runaway pig as they returned to work after the Christmas break yesterday morning.

The M5 at Junction 6, Droitwich, had to be closed for a short time at about 1pm yesterday while a police marksman dealt with the pig.

It was decided the animal should be put down because of the potential danger it posed to oncoming traffic after it evaded earlier attempts to capture it.

Meanwhile, about 40 trees were torn up around Worcestershire as winds of up to 65mph battered the county.

Roads were affected across the county, including those at Norton-juxta-Kempsey, Red Hill Lane, off London Road, the A443 in Hallow, Holywell Lane, Rubery, and at Dobbs Corner, Dodford.

Jonathan Fraser, customer and community manager at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Our staff have been working very hard to ensure the safety of everyone on this blustery day by attending to reported problems as quickly as possible.

"As ever, we would advise people to be extra-vigilant when out travelling in windy weather.

“About 40 trees have fallen across Worcestershire as a whole, and some roads have needed to be closed while debris has been removed, although nothing has been closed for more than two hours.

"All were caused by the severe winds and there have been no serious incidents reported.”

Worcester News weatherman Paul Damari, who forecast this morning’s bad weather, said: “We had an intense Atlantic storm.

"Winds of up to 45mph hit Worcestershire between 4am and 6am. A second lot came through this morning as a cold front brought gusts of up to 65mph.

“The winds were very squally and twisty. This type of wind can twist the trees out of the ground.

"It is the type of weather when we can get tornadoes.

“It is not unusual weather for this time of year. The rest of the week will be rather mixed but today was the worst of the winds.”

West Mercia Police said calls started coming in about the pig at about 10.30am when concerned motorists spotted it grazing on the verge alongside the busy A38 in Wychbold.

Officers made attempts to capture it to stop it from straying into the path of cars as it moved closer to the exit slipway of the M5.

But the tale had a tragic twist as, despite help from staff at a nearby wildlife centre, the pig remained on the loose and began edging close to the motorway, leading to police to decide to put it down.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said all options were considered before a request was made for assistance from armed officers.

“We tried to find other ways of getting the pig out of the area but it was proving too much of a hazard, so the decision was made to shoot it,” he said.

He said officers had considered tranquillising the animal, but feared it would have bolted into the road when it was hit by the dart.

It is not yet known where the pig came from.

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