BATTEN down the hatches because a storm is on its way, according to forecasters.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for many parts of the country, while the Highways Agency has put an amber warning in place.

Affected areas include London, South East, Wales, the South West, South East and the Midlands.

Forecasters say the winds are caused by an "unusually" deep area of low pressure, which is moving west from Northern Ireland.

Winds could reach between 40mph and 55mph in the News Shopper region.

Motorists have been urged to take care in cross-winds on the roads. Branches and trees could also be brought down by the weather.

Claire Austin, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the worst of the wind and rain would be experienced throughout the day.

She said: "We could see gusts of up to 50mph and over in inland Wales and the South West.

“If you go further to coastal and exposed places such as the South Coast gusts could reach up to 60mph."

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office until 9pm this evening, when it is expected that the winds and rain will have calmed.

The Highways Agency has issued an amber alert for high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes due to the strong winds between 12pm and 5pm.

In a statement, the agency said there was an "increased risk of vehicles being blown over".

"The Highways Agency, which is responsible for motorways and other major trunk roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions and maintain safe roads and reliable journeys," it said.