Travel disruption and power cuts forecast as storm Ciara sweeps in

The Met Office, police and transport officials have issued warnings as Scotland is set to be hit by Storm Ciara over the weekend.

National severe weather warnings are in place for strong winds and heavy rain throughout the weekend, and transport officials have been preparing their networks for disruption.

Storm Ciara, a low-pressure system, developed in the North Atlantic and has tracked eastwards towards the UK and Ireland over recent days.

It is expected to lead to delays and disruption on roads, railways and ferries, with possible flooding to homes and businesses and short-term losses of power.

Wind gusts are forecast to reach 50-60mph across many inland areas, with gusts of 80mph or higher in coastal areas and exposed locations.

Police across the country have issued safety warnings.

In Ayrshire, police urged people to pay attention to the weather and said local officers will be on patrol throughout the weekend to assist, while police in Tayside urged people to take care and plan travel appropriately''.

On Twitter, Network Rail said: Our people across Scotland are working to prepare the railway for these high winds and heavy rain. We're out checking drains, pumping stations and sea defences in advance, to make sure they're in the best shape possible.''

Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: Storm Ciara will bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend and we have issued a range of severe weather warnings giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.

Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of the UK through the early hours of Sunday morning.''