A piece of the damaged roof at Epsom Downs Racecourse has broken lose in high winds forcing the closure of seven roads.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene at about 2pm today and have closed roads around the area for safety reasons after winds started blowing from the north east and picked up strength.

Closures are currently in place along Grandstand Road, Old London Road, Downs Road, Downs Way, Treadwell Road, Langley Vale Road and Ashley Road.

Police officers, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the Highways Agency are on the scene.

Metrobus announced on Twitter that its 460 and 480 bus services between Tattenham Corner and Epsom High Street are being diverted due to the road closures.

Part of the roof of the £23.5m Duchess' Stand at the race course, which was opened in April 2009 by the Duchess of Cornwall, was ripped off by 60mph winds on Tuesday morning causing an evacuation of staff and road closures across the Downs.

Contractors have been working on site again this morning but have been hampered by continued strong winds which have made it too dangerous to fully stabilise the damaged roof.

A spokesperson for the race course said: “Epsom Downs Racecourse is working hard to secure the safety of the area as soon as possible.”