A 21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN has died after being struck by a tree which fell amid heavy storms in the south-west of Britain last night.

The woman, who was said by locals to have been living in a tent which was usually sheltered by a nearby wall, was trapped after the tree fell shortly before midnight in Exeter.

Sky News quoted local police as saying the large spruce tree had fallen across the wall which usually guarded the tent, and had fallen on top of the tent.

She was removed by emergency services but died later in hospital, BBC News added.

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the deceased’s family and friends,” a police spokesman said.

“We are currently trying to contact the next of kin.”

Two men who were close to the tree when it fell were also injured, but not seriously, and received treatment in hospital.

Over 150 flood warnings and 220 flood alerts have been issued for various parts of Britain, while parts of major motorways in the south-west have also been closed due to high overnight rains.

The Independent said hundreds of council staff had worked overnight to help residents hit by flooding, and that fire and rescue services in Cornwall had taken over 350 calls from affected residents since yesterday morning.