WEATHER ALERT: Gales this evening as Storm Barney crosses East Midlands

A yellow weather alert has been issued by the Met Office telling people to be aware as winds reach 70 mph and 80 mph over exposed hills.

A statement on their website said: "The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to travel and that gusts of this strength could bring down trees and lead to some damage to weakened structures."

The forecast is for west to southwesterly gales and locally some 'severe gales' which are likely to sweep eastwards across the area this evening (Tuesday, November 17).

Widespread inland lowland gusts of 50-60 mph are 'likely, with isolated 70 mph'.

Over exposed hills, coasts and headlands winds may gust to over 80 mph, the Met Office added.

They said: "The winds should quickly ease across western parts later on Tuesday evening and across eastern parts shortly after midnight.

"The worst of the winds look likely to reach west Wales in the early evening, sweeping rapidly eastwards across the Midlands and East Anglia later during the evening."