CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service and the Met Office are warning people to take care as high winds of up to 50mph are expected to blow across the region tonight and tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of wind between 9pm tonight (Monday, September 17) and 6pm on Tuesday.

The Met Office website says: “A spell of strong winds for western and some central parts of the UK during Monday night and Tuesday morning.”

And that people should expect: “Some damage to trees is possible, for example large branches or trees falling in a few places.

“Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely.”

The source of the gusts is Storm Helene.

The Met Office explains: “Although now expected to bring less strong winds, the remnants of Storm Helene will move northeastwards across Wales and England during Monday night and Tuesday.

“A spell of strong winds is expected, initially mainly in the far southwest of England and across west and south Wales. The strongest winds then transferring across the Midlands and parts of northern England during Tuesday morning and into the afternoon.

“Winds are likely to gust 40-50 mph quite widely across the warning area whilst some coasts and hills of southwest England and Wales could have gusts of 55-60 mph.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned motorists to take extra care.

The advice is: “During periods of high winds, drivers should be extra careful when driving on exposed routes such as bridges or high open roads and are encouraged to find alternative routes where possible.

“High wind may cause difficult driving conditions, especially to high-sided vehicles negotiating the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6 or Barton Bridge on the M60.

“Drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes are advised to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of vehicles being blown over.

“We advise drivers to slow down and be aware of side winds and be particularly conscious of the dangers posed by debris that may have blown into the roadway.

“As wind speed increases the pressure it exerts on your car increases too. Wind rarely blows steadily, and sudden gusts can catch-out even the most experienced driver. Expect sudden gusts at any time but particularly on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges or when overtaking high-sided vehicles.”