THE North was last night still counting the cost of the weekend's devastating gales.

Emergency services and councils faced a race against time clearing roads and repairing battered buildings ahead of further bad weather forecast tonight.

In Darlington, 250 calls were received by the council, mostly relating to damaged trees and concern over falling tiles.

Meanwhile, a male motorcyclist who was hit by a falling tree near Middleton St George on Saturday was last night serious, but stable, in Darlington Memorial Hospital.

In Darlington town centre, a chimney stack fell 30ft into the street after it was blown down from above the Stagecoach offices in Tubwell Row.

Fire engines were called yesterday and removed an adjacent stack as a precaution.

Many people in Middleton St George and Middleton One Row were without power or phones for almost 48 hours, forcing some to stay with friends.

Power at June Rowden's home, in Hunters Green, Middleton St George, went off in the early hours of Saturday and was not restored until Sunday night.

She said: "Absolutely nothing worked in the house and it was so cold. On Saturday, we went round to the vicarage like orphans, and then on Sunday we went to see family in Stockton so we could have a shower and watch some television."

Kelly Lynas, who works at the village's Londis shop, said opening hours were cut eight hours short on Sunday.

She said: "We were reliant on candles until we got a generator, and I was bringing hot flasks of water in from home. Fortunately, we saved the chilled produce."

Of the 250 calls to Darlington council, nearly two-thirds came from people in council properties.

Tree experts worked all weekend as they were called to 51 incidents. They included 25 fallen trees, three of which hit cars.

The winds forced the temporary closure of a refuse site, and the council said further bad weather meant the site could shut again.

A council spokeswoman also advised residents to try to make their properties secure ahead of more high winds.

For emergency help, residents should call the council on (01325) 388799.

In Crook, County Durham, The Hole in the Wall Riding School cancelled lessons for the week after a new 60ft by 30ft hayshed was blown over and an arena wall collapsed.

The centre's Evelyn Vitty said "The shed was thrown around like a box of matches. Part of it was lifted into the field next door.

"The first winds earlier on in the weekend twisted the girders, and Sunday night's storm lifted the top completely off. It was unbelievable."

Officials at Sedgefield racecourse had to repair minor damage to ensure today's meeting goes ahead.

The roof of the groundsman's hut was blown off on Saturday morning at the height of the storms, hitting several buildings

Course clerk Gemma Carrington said: "Early Saturday morning we lost the roof to our groundsman's hut. It is made of corrugated iron, and the wind sent wood and corrugated iron flying everywhere, causing damage to doors and door frames.

"All their equipment is stored in that hut. It caused damage to the Tote betting shop roof. Bits were flying everywhere, but thankfully caused only minor damage. On the course we are resurrecting wings, straightening rails moved by the wind, but nothing major.

"The builders are in today making everything safe.

"I have spoken to the forecasters this morning and they say the wind is due to pick up throughout this afternoon. They say that the wind is going to be strong, but not too bad when we are racing.

"By the time we have finished, it will be quite windy but, fingers crossed, it will not be too bad while we are racing."