High winds put the 'blight' in Old Blighty

Gale-force winds across Britain have caused two fatalities and resulted in widespread shutdowns of public transport. Photo / AP

Winds surpassing 160km/h tormented parts of Britain, wreaking havoc with travel and killing two people.

The UK meteorological office reported extremely high winds in several parts of the country, leading to power outages, seaport closures and hazardous driving conditions.

Winds were particularly high in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with Edinburgh reporting gusts of 164km/h.

A man in his 50s was killed by a falling tree as he sat in the driver's seat of a parked van in southern England, and a crew member on board a tanker was killed after his vessel was hit by a large wave off the English coast.

Edinburgh airport was closed to incoming aircraft, and many departing flights also were cancelled or delayed. Glasgow airport also said many of its flights were delayed or cancelled.

Further south, flights to and from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports also were disrupted, with many flights arriving hours late.

Most train services between London and Scotland were cancelled and many companies suspended ferry traffic across the English Channel.