The last big storm to hit the West Midlands, Storm Darragh, brought down hundreds of trees and a car driver died in Erdington when one hit his car. Elsewhere, a Poundland shop window shattered in Kings Heath, disrupting traffic, while in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, a giant cedar tree dating back to Victorian times was brought down.

The West Midlands is braced for strong winds and rain as flights are cancelled from Birmingham Airport to Scotland and Ireland.

Rail services and flights are disrupted and police receive numerous calls about fallen trees.

Strong winds of up to 80mph (129km/h) are expected in parts of Yorkshire on Friday, as Storm Éowyn brings disruption to the region. An amber weather warning issued by the Met Office covers large parts of the county,

Ireland and Scotland were on high alert for a violent storm set to hit them on Friday, with schools ordered to close and trains cancelled. Forecasters warned wind speeds could top 130 kilometres (80 miles) an hour when Storm Eowyn hits from the Atlantic,

Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are set to experience the worst disruption, where the Met Office has issued red weather warnings which means there is a danger to life from winds gusting at up to 100mph.