It is one of a number of aircraft that had to abort landings at Heathrow Airport this morning as strong winds blew planes off their flight path.

The TAP Air Portugal flight had almost made contact with the runway when it was forced to take off again and circle around before trying again.

UK weather live: Forecasters issue red threat-to-life warnings

A British Airways flight from Nassau also took two attempts at landing before safely touching down on the runway - 30 minutes after the scheduled landing time.

Winds at Heathrow were measured at 46mph at 10am this morning - but may now be higher as the storm sweeps across the UK.

Gusts of up to 122mph recorded

British Airways is among the airlines to have cancelled dozens of flights.

"Due to the extreme weather conditions across the UK and resulting restrictions on the number of aircraft that can take-off and land each hour, we, like other airlines, are experiencing significant disruption," a statement reads.

"We're operating as many flights as we can and putting on larger aircraft where possible."

It comes as the strongest winds in more than 30 years have been recorded as Storm Eunice batters the UK.

Speeds of 122mph were reported at The Needles on the Isle of Wight as millions of Britons have been urged to stay home amid the "dangerous" conditions.

Weather warnings are in place nationwide, include the rarely seen red warnings for wind as the Met Office fears "significant gusts" could cause flying debris and endanger lives.

Damaging storm wreaks havoc

Storm Eunice has left thousands of homes without power and forced schools and businesses to shut.

It has also caused major travel disruption with road closures and the cancellation of bus and train services, flights and ferry sailings.

In Wales, all trains have been cancelled across the country.

A list of the main closures due to Storm Eunice

Meanwhile, food deliveries in some areas have been suspended as the UK battles the storm, as Deliveroo and UberEats do so to keep couriers safe.

The National Grid figures reported at 8.30am showed wind was generated 42% of UK energy. This was the largest electricity source proportionally by some distance - and likely to have increased as winds have grown in strength across the country.