The Met Office has issued a YELLOW weather alert for WIND for Ayrshire valid from midday Friday 8th February until 1800hrs Saturday 9th February.

A deep area of low pressure is expected to track across northern Britain later on Friday and through early Saturday.

Southwesterly winds will strengthen through Friday. Gales will become widespread later on Friday, persisting well into Saturday whilst becoming more westerly.

Whilst some places may miss the worst of the winds, inland gusts of 50 mph are expected quite widely, with some places having gusts in excess of 60 mph, more especially across the north of the warning area on Saturday.

Gusts of up to 70 mph are likely around some coasts exposed to the west or southwest. Winds will gradually ease on Saturday, with the strongest winds becoming confined to Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

These winds will lead to large waves affecting coasts and the possibility of waves overtopping some coastal routes, especially in the west and south of the warning area. In addition, bands of heavy rain sweeping eastwards on Friday in particular will present an additional hazard.

A Met Office spokesman said: "We continue to advise the public to avoid visiting exposed coastal areas during times of severe weather and to stay up to date with the latest weather warnings issued by the Met Office."