Floods and gale force winds are set to batter Shropshire and Mid Wales today as Britain braces itself for the worst storm of the year so far.

Forecasters have warned people in the region to expect a hammering tonight as winds hit 50mph, while half-an-inch of rain could fall, leading to flash flooding. The extreme weather is expected to continue tomorrow and start to settle down by Sunday.

It will remain wet and windy for much of next week.

Weather experts are advising those planning days out tomorrow to postpone them and stay indoors as Britain is buffeted by strong winds of up to 70mph.

The winds will be strong enough to cause damage, including bringing down trees and branches.

And commuters hoping for a let-up in the rain today for a quick getaway back home will be disappointed as the current downpours across the country are set to continue throughout the day.

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said: “Heavy rain and strong winds are on the way, with a risk of local flooding.

“There could be half-an-inch of rain or more and winds could get up to 50mph through tonight and first thing tomorrow.

“Things will quieten down a bit on Sunday but it still looks wet and windy, as it does for most of next week.”

Mr Warner said the worst of the weather would hit Wales, where winds could reach up to 70mph in some parts.

But he said temperatures were still extremely mild for this time of year.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are likely to issue flood watches and flood warnings on Friday and Saturday, particularly across South Wales and the south west of England.”

The weather has already caused disruption in some parts of the country. Passengers faced delays after the heavy rain caused rocks to slide on to rail tracks, closing a busy line. More than a tonne of rubble is believed to have fallen in the Chepstow area of south-east Wales. Services running between Newport and Gloucester were affected, along with cross-country trains between Nottingham and Cardiff.

By Wayne Beese