BRITAIN'S biggest port was closed today as blustery winds buffeted quaysides and made it dangerous to unload ships.Container operations were suspended from breakfast-time until 2am tomorrow - though officials were hoping the wind would die down at times to allow some loading and unloading to take place.

BRITAIN'S biggest port was closed today as blustery winds buffeted quaysides and made it dangerous to unload ships.

Container operations at Felixstowe were suspended from breakfast-time until 2am tomorrow - though officials were hoping the wind would die down at times to allow some loading and unloading to take place.

A port spokeswoman said strong southerly winds were forecast with gusts set to reach 55 knots at crane height.

“At the moment we are not operating at Landguard or Trinity Terminals but we are monitoring the situation constantly and we may be able to work intermittently for short periods,” she said.

“However, it is very blustery and we have to be mindful of all health and safety considerations in these sort of conditions.”

Lorry drivers have been warned to expect possible delays at the port and advised to park up and wait for conditions to improve.

The port's high-rise quayside cranes cannot operate once the wind gets above 35mph because the containers being loaded and unloaded can swing dangerously as they are raised and lowered from the stacks and holds.