STRONG winds and heavy rain is expected to hit Somerset as a fresh batch of weather warnings are issued.

The Met Office has warned of the extreme weather from tomorrow (Wednesday).

The warning for wind is in place from 2pm tomorrow until 3pm on Thursday. This warning covers the west side of the county, as well as Devon, Cornwall, much of Wales and Northern Ireland.

A second warning for rain is also in place from 4pm tomorrow, until midnight.

The yellow warning for rain covers much of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Strong southeasterly winds are expected to develop during Wednesday afternoon across parts of southwest England and west Wales before spreading to Northern Ireland and parts of southwest Scotland later.

"Winds will tend to ease from the south during Wednesday evening. Most areas will also see a spell of heavy rain.

"The strongest winds will be for exposed coastal areas and over high ground with a few places seeing gusts reaching 60-70 mph.

"Most inland sites are likely to see wind gusts peak between 45 and 55 mph."

Around 30mm of rain could fall during the six-nine hours the warning is in place.

The spokesperson added: "Heavy rain is likely to move eastwards across southwestern areas later on Wednesday. Some 20-30 mm of rain could fall in a 6-9 hour period, with perhaps as much as 60 mm over Dartmoor and the high ground of south Wales.

"Falling on saturated ground, this will probably cause a few problems. The rain should become confined to the east of the region by late evening."