The North West is set to be battered with heavy rain and strong winds, when Storm Ashley hits on Sunday (October 20).

The Met Office has issued an amber weather and yellow warning for wind ahead of Storm Ashley, which covers parts of the UK.

The amber warning will be in force from 9am on Sunday until midnight, and the yellow between 3am and midnight.

Bolton is not currently covered by the warnings but the county is still set to be hit with wind gusts of 47mph and rain.

Gusts of 80mph could hit Scotland and “injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties”, the Met Office said.

There is “a good chance” of power cuts in that area which could affect mobile phone coverage and buildings will probably be damaged, such as by tiles blowing off roofs.

Disruption or cancellations to road, rail, air, and ferry services are likely, as well as road and bridge closures.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said on Friday evening: “At the time of recording, Storm Ashley is on the other side of the Atlantic and a relatively shallow area of low pressure.

“It deepens rapidly as it gets picked up by the jet stream during Saturday and ends up as a particularly deep area of low pressure, with a widespread swathe of gales and wind gusts in excess of 60mph for many western and northern parts of the country.”

Western parts of the UK could wake up to 50mph to 60mph winds and heavy rain that day, particularly affecting exposed coasts and hills.

Sunday’s strongest winds will sweep exposed parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with 70mph gusts likely.

Storm Ashley is expected to clear on Monday.

Bolton's weekend weather forecast

Saturday, October 19: Sunny intervals. Highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Wind gusts of 19mph.

Sunday, October 20: Heavy rain changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain expected between 6am and 11am. Wind gusts of 47mph.