STORM Brian is set to batter Britain but windy Worcester looks set to escape the worst of it.

The intense low-pressure system is forecast to affect southern Britain on Saturday with winds particularly fierce in coastal areas, raging at 70mph.

The storm follows on the heels of ex-Hurricane Ophelia which claimed the lives of three people in Ireland and caused widespread destruction, tearing down trees and ripping off roofs.

The Met Office forecast suggests that Worcester falls just outside the yellow wind warning zone for Brian which will cover large parts of Wales and western and southern England.

The Met Office updated their Yellow wind warning for strong southwesterly winds on Saturday from 4am, covering parts of southern and western England and South and West Wales.

Currently the Met Office has no plans to issue an Amber wind warning for any part of the UK, but the situation will be under continual review.

Chief Forecaster Dan Suri said: “Storm Brian is expected to bring strong winds to southern and western areas early on Saturday morning."

The storm will hit the southwest of Ireland first before moving on to the UK.

Mr Suri added: “As we go through Saturday morning and early afternoon the strong southwesterly winds affecting the South West will transfer east and slowly change direction as they will become westerly towards the end of the warning period.

“Gusts exceeding 50 mph are expected widely within the warning area, with gusts of around 70 mph along exposed coastal areas. These are expected to coincide with high tides, leading to locally dangerous conditions in coastal parts.”

Before it makes landfall, the system is undergoing explosive cyclogenesis far out in the Atlantic. However, by the time it reaches Britain and Ireland this phase is expected to be complete and it will be a mature, deep low, bringing strong winds with the potential to affect travel over the weekend.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: “Drivers encountering high winds are advised to reduce their speed, ensure they hold the steering wheel firmly and be prepared for sudden gusts, debris and even fallen branches in the road."

Environment Agency teams are on the ground checking defences and taking precautionary measures such as closing tidal gates.