GALE and flood warnings were issued for West Dorset last night.

The Environment Agency put out flood warnings - the second highest level of alert - for West Bay and Lyme Regis at high water at around 7pm.

A flood warning means that flooding is expected and that immediate action should be taken.

The Highways Agency advissed Dorset road users to be cautious as strong gales and heavy rain were expected in the South West yesterday.

The Agency issued a severe weather alert for gales, warning road users that strong winds of up to 65mph combined with heavy rain, would make driving conditions difficult along the most southern routes of the South West from 4pm until 11pm.

Drivers of vulnerable vehicles were particularly advised to avoid the the A35 from Long Bredy to Bridport.

Road users driving high-sided vehicles, riding motorcycles or towing any kind of trailer were being urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions once they are on the strategic road network.

Met Office forecasters based in the Agency’s National Traffic Operations Centre predicted southerly winds would increase to 50mph across most of the network, reaching between 60 and 65 mph along the most southern routes in the South West and South East.