STORM Eunice is expected to bring "extremely strong winds" to St Helens and surrounding areas on Friday - with residents urged to prepare and heed safety warnings.

The town avoided serious disruption from Storm Dudley, which hit parts of the UK yesterday, but emergency services are now braced for tomorrow - when winds gusting above 50 mph could strike locally.

The Storm Eunice amber weather warning will now come into effect from 3am on Friday morning and will continue until 9pm that evening.

The weather is expected to worsen in St Helens from about 11am on Friday, with the storm intensifying and gusts of wind passing 50mph by mid-afternoon.

There could be heavy rain between 10am and noon before the wind picks up from noon, with gusts exceeding 50mph.

The winds could leave the temperature feeling as though it is -2C.

Wind gusts are forecast to reduce slightly after 5pm, but could still be above 40mph moving into the night, with the weather warning remaining in place.

Durinf the storm, the Met Office warns there is a "chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life".

Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with the potential for roofs to be damaged and power lines brought down

Roads, bridges and railway lines may have to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights

A Met Office statement added: "There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur and possibly affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

"It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees."

A Met Office spokesman said: “Extremely strong winds may develop over south west England early on Friday, before spreading north and east during the day.

“While there is still some uncertainty in the track of Eunice, there is an increasing likelihood of widespread inland wind gusts of 60 to 70mph, and up to 80mph in a few places.

“Around coasts of west Wales and south west England, gusts of 90 or possibly even 100mph are possible.

“Winds are expected to ease across western areas through the afternoon and eastern areas during the evening.”

Advice from the Met Office ahead of Storm Eunice

  1. Secure any loose objects such as garden furniture that could be blown into windows and break them
  2. Close and securely fasten doors and windows
  3. During the storm Stay indoors as much as possible
  4. Do not drive unless your journey is necessary
    5. After the storm, do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
  5. Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs