The Forth Road Bridge has been closed overnight after a lorry overturned in winds of up to 65mph.

The incident took place at around 2am on Wednesday, shortly after the route had been closed to all vehicles except cars.

The Currie European lorry was blown from the northbound carriageway on to the southbound side, damaging railings on the central reservation.

Police closed the route in both directions and motorists are being diverted via the Clackmannanshire and Kincardine bridges, prompting major delays.

Officials at the Forth Road Bridge said the bridge would remain closed overnight while it is assessed and repair work carried out.

The truck has been removed from the central reservation and is lying on its side on the southbound carriageway.

Recovery teams will need a crane to remove the lorry from the other carriageway, but it is understood that the equipment cannot operate in winds of more than 25mph.

Mark Arndt, Amey's representative for the Forth Road Bridge, said the team was "doing everything we can" to reopen the route as soon as possible, depending on wind speeds.

He said: "It's most likely that we'll be able to reopen one lane of the northbound carriageway later today however we will need a crane to remove the HGV from the southbound carriageway, and this work is highly dependent on the prevailing wind speeds.

"We are continuing to monitor the forecast and have team mobilised and ready to respond as soon as it is safe to do so but it is very likely the bridge will remain closed through the morning peak.

"We know that closing the bridge has a serious impact on people's journeys and it's regretful that this situation has arisen."

The bridge was closed to high sided vehicles, motorbikes, cyclists and pedestrians at 12.30am on Wednesday.

An hour later, when winds reached speeds of 65mph, the restriction was extended to all vehicles except cars.

The driver has since been charged in connection with the incident.

A police spokesman said: "A 54-year-old man has been charged following a collision on the Forth Road Bridge at around 2 am on Wednesday.

"A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

The early morning incident, in which no one was injured, prompted Traffic Scotland to warn drivers to avoid taking risks in windy weather.

The Forth Road Bridge diversions via the Kincardine Bridge were further disrupted by a crash nearby at around 11.30am.

The eastbound carriageway was closed while the incident was cleared by around 12.30pm.

Now all eastbound traffic is being diverted via Clackmannanshire Bridge and all westbound via Kincardine Bridge.

Restrictions have also been put in place on the Dornoch, Tay and Erskine bridges.