Widespread flood risks threaten to multiply tonight before 'severe gales' hit the country over the coming days, forecasters say.

Met Office is warning of possible damage to homes, power cuts and disruption to travel by air, road, rail and ferry

A yellow alert for strong winds is in place from 12am to 9am on Monday. The Met Office warns that strong winds from Storm Ashley may bring further impacts across the north and east of Scotland and northeast England before it moves away.

In a dire warning the Met Office said 'injuries and danger to life are likely' as the nation is lashed by the huge storm.

Power cuts, large waves and travel disruption are expected in Cumbria as parts of the UK are braced for Storm Ashley. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Sunday for wind across Cumbria and an amber amber high wind warning for some western areas in Scotland.