THE region was this morning expected to wake up to more storm damage as ferocious gales swept in for the second time in four days.

Scotland and Northern Ireland were hit by 90-mile-an-hour winds yesterday evening and the North-East was in line for another battering through the night.

A lorry driver in Northern Ireland was killed when his vehicle was blown off Foyle Bridge, in Londonderry, on to the banks of the River Foyle, as 90mph winds battered the province.

Last night, people in the North-East and North Yorkshire were being warned about the danger of further structural damage.

People on the coast were also warned the winds could create extremely high tides.

As the bad weather approached, energy workers were involved in a race against time to restore power to 1,500 homes that lost power during the weekend's gales.

Last night, houses in a number of villages around Darlington and Richmond, including Barton, Cleasby and Piercebridge, briefly lost power due to wind damage.

The Met Office yesterday predicted winds of up to 80mph and a severe weather warning was issued for Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland, as well as storm-lashed Cumbria.

The statement said: "Damage to trees is likely with some being uprooted. Some damage to buildings is also possible.

"Driving conditions will be dangerous in places, with high-sided vehicles at risk of being overturned especially if unladen. Motorists are advised to drive with particular care."

A warning about coastal flooding between Berwick and Crimdon Dene, north of Hartlepool, was issued by the Environment Agency.

Ian Hodge, area flood defence manager for the North-East said: "We are urging the public to take care if they are along the coastline and watch out for heavy waves and spray, as these can sometimes include rocks and debris lifted up from the seabed."

The winds, which were not expected to reach the strength that wrought such damage at the weekend, are expected to die down by lunchtime today.

PA WeatherCentre spokes-man Gareth Harvey said the worst of the weather would be in west and north-west Scotland.

With many households in the region still without power last night, staff from Northern Electric Distribution (NEDL) were working around the clock to restore supplies.

The weekend's gales caused major disruption to lines serving 150,000 customers across the region and yesterday 1,500 homes in North Yorkshire and County Durham were still without power.

The Highways Agency issued a warning to motorists to take extra care in the gales and driving rain. A spokes-man also urged people to delay journeys or cancel those that were not essential to avoid the worst of the weather.

The Government last night announced a review of the flood warning system as councils began clearing damage caused by last weekend's freak weather.

Environment Minister Elliot Morley said many people were not alerted to the flood danger despite the activation of the early warning system.

Mr Morley promised financial help to councils affected by the flooding.

Local authorities in Cumbria and Northumberland, which were the worst affected by the floods, are likely to make claims.

Yesterday's announcement came as 10,000 homes in Hexham, Northumberland, were still without water.

Continuing severe weather was also hampering salvage attempts in Cumbria after the worst flooding since 1822.

* Anyone who loses power as a result of the storms can call NEDL's emergency number, on 0800 668877