A Malta-registered ship ran aground and 400,000 homes in western France were without power this morning as storms swept the region overnight.

The 109-metre TK Bremen, which was empty, ran aground off the Quiberon peninsula on France's Atlantic coast. The 19-man crew was evacuated by helicopter.

French media said the vessel is leaking oil. The local mayor, Marie-Francoise Le Jossec told BFM television that the slick is about 1 kilometre in length and five metres wide.

An environmental protection programme had been put in place.

The storm has been battering the area with gusts of wind of up to 133 kilometres (83 miles) per hour and waves up to seven metres (23 feet) high.

Rail and air traffic have been distrupted.

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