A SEVERE weather alert has been issued for Worcestershire warning that 70mph gusts of wind could affect the county on Friday.

The Met Office warned there is a potential for very strong winds and has issued the alert which will run from 6am to 11.55pm.

Gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected in places and could reach over 80mph in exposed coastal areas in England.

There remains considerable uncertainty around the developments, it warned.

The gusts could cause damage to trees and perhaps to buildings, possible disruption to power supplies, as well as delayed travel. The chief forecaster said: "A number of potentially vigorous low pressure systems are likely to move quickly towards northwest Europe later this week " One of these, on Friday, may affect parts of southern parts of the UK.

"However it is worth stressing that there are a number of scenarios in which the strongest winds miss the UK altogether.

"Even so, spells of wet and windy weather will be affecting many areas later this week."