Meteorologists have issued weather warning for the rest of the week and the weekend - with winds of 70mph expected in some coastal areas.

The Met Office is warning that heavy winds on coastal parts of west Wales will lead to large waves with the potential to ’overtop’ sea defences.

The first yellow warning for wind comes into effect tonight at 10pm and will run until Thursday morning.

A period of very strong and gusty winds is likely, with the strongest winds being across the south and west of Wales late evening, with gusts of 60 to 70mph on coasts and 50 to 60mph inland.

Elsewhere winds will be strongest after midnight, with gusts of 60mph on coasts and 50mph inland before easing during Thursday morning.

There is little respite however, with the next weather warning coming into effect from 12pm on Friday and running until 6pm on Saturday night.

A Met Office spokesman said: "A deep area of low pressure is expected to track across northern Britain later on Friday and through early Saturday.

"Southwesterly winds will strengthen through Friday. Gales will become widespread later on Friday, persisting well into Saturday while becoming more westerly.

"While some places may miss the worst of the winds, inland gusts of 50mph are expected quite widely, with some places having gusts in excess of 60mph, more especially across the north of the warning area on Saturday.

"Gusts of up to 70mph are likely around some coasts exposed to the west or southwest.

"These winds will lead to large waves affecting coasts and the possibility of waves overtopping some coastal routes, especially in the west and south of the warning area.

"In addition, bands of heavy rain sweeping eastwards on Friday in particular will present an additional hazard."

Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely and some short term loss of power and other services is possible.