As the nation prepares for the big Christmas getaway, travellers in the Midlands have been warned by the Met Office that strong winds and rain are likely to cause disruption. The yellow weather warning predicts gusts of 50-60mph (80km/h-95km/h) across the region on Sunday along with the heavy rain, between midnight and 21:00 GMT.

The UK is set to see rain and disruptive winds of up to 85mph this weekend as the Met Office issues weather warnings for Christmas holiday drivers. Yellow wind warnings have been released for the weekend, with one covering Scotland, much of Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England between 7am and midnight on Saturday.

"A cold snap is on the way this weekend, with a lowering of the height at which the air is below freezing," the Met Office warned. The forecasting agency also said hill snow could hit "northern Britain" and "the south" over the weekend.

Yellow warnings for wind are in place for great swathes of the country, as people living near coastal regions are told to be careful of rogue waves caused by the weather

Squally showers, hail and thunder possible too - but it will be the wind of up to 70mph that could cause disruption. 'Delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely'.

Wind power generation is forecast to reach a record this weekend, with yellow warnings in place across the country.

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued across all of Scotland, into northern England and Northern Ireland, with the peak winds now shifting slightly north