Britain set for highs winds and rain as new storm moves in just days after Ophelia

Low pressure system from Atlantic bringing more wild weather

Waves break around the church in the harbour at Porthleven, Cornwall, as Hurricane Ophelia hit the UK and Ireland (PA)

Strong winds and big waves will batter Britain's coast just days after Storm Ophelia wreaked destruction.

Gusts of 50mph are expected widely across southern England and the west of Wales on Saturday, and winds could reach 70mph in exposed areas.

The wild weather, caused by a low pressure system moving in from the Atlantic ocean, may cause coastal flooding and affect transport, the Met Office said.

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued in affected areas, valid from 4am to midnight on Saturday.

Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said: “We've got a spell of strong winds which is likely to bring some large waves as well.

“So there's the potential for some coastal flooding in places and transport disruption.”

Northern Ireland, one of the areas worst-affected by Storm Ophelia, is also braced for further disruption when a band of rain moves in from the west on Thursday.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued across the region, valid from 3pm to midnight.

Ms Roberts warned that heavy rain would be falling on already saturated ground and could cause flooding and affect properties.

She said: “It will be fairly patchy to begin with but then it looks like through the afternoon and into the evening it becomes heavier and more persistent and more widespread.”

Around 40mm of rain is expected in parts of Northern Ireland and 60mm is possible over the mountains.

PA