POLICE sectioned off part of Southampton city centre yesterday afternoon after 60mph winds dislodged 60ft scaffolding.

Emergency teams were sent to the Ferryman and Firkin pub in High Street at about 2pm.

Hampshire Technical Rescue Unit staff and building contractors took to the pub roof with ropes to carry out a tense four-hour plus operation to re-secure the scaffolding.

Police closed off High Street between its junctions with West Street and Bernard Street shortly after 2.30pm because of the risk of debris. The street was expected to be fully reopened last night.

Contractors had been carrying out cleaning and stone restoration work on the outside of the pub yesterday morning. The pub had been closed for the day to allow furniture layout changes.

Paul Savage, pub assistant manager said: "The pub will be open as usual for those wanting to see the big England game and enjoy a drink. The weather caused a problem with the scaffolding around the pub but no one was in any danger."

Alan Long, of Alan Long General Building Contractors Ltd, said: "We acted very quickly to comply with health and safety regulations and no member of our staff or the public were placed in any danger. Unfortunately, high winds can cause scaffolding ties to come loose. We expect to restart our work within 24 hours."

Meanwhile the winds and high seas brought some ferries to a standstill in the Western Solent yesterday as the weather marked the 15th anniversary of the Great Storm.

As wind speeds topped 90mph off the Needles on the Isle of Wight and huge waves rolled in from Christchurch Bay at the peak of yesterday's storms, Wightlink temporarily suspended its Lymington to Yarmouth service. Earlier, Red Funnel had stopped one of its return sailings - the 1.30pm from Southampton and the 2pm from Cowes - although its car ferries were able to continue.

Wightlink also stopped its Portsmouth to Ryde high-speed service, but kept its car ferries running on a triangular route via Portsmouth, Ryde and Fishbourne.

On the county's roads, drivers were warned to take it easy in waterlogged conditions, but police reported no problems.

Seventeen people died in October 1987 when 100mph winds lashed the south.