Trains heading to the North East are set to be delayed or cancelled as strong winds from Storm Lilian continue to batter the region.

Train operator TransPennine Express has announced that "severe weather disruption" means trains between York, Middlesbrough and Yarm may be cancelled or delayed today (August 23).

This comes as winds reaching 45mph continue to batter the region for which the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning.

A statement online reads: "Due to severe weather disruption is expected until further notice. Train services between York and Middlesbrough via Yarm may be cancelled or delayed.

"Due to severe weather causing obstructions and damage to the railway infrastructure, disruption is expected across the TransPennine Express North route today. Please check all the information about the live train running before you travel.

"Train services across the TransPennine Express North Route are subject to delays of up 90 minutes.
Customers can use their tickets to travel on any East Midlands Railway, LNER or Northern service towards their destination in the event of cancellation or journey disruption."

Storm Lilian was announced by the Met Office on Thursday and could bring gusts of up to 80mph – with travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and dangerous conditions near coastal areas all likely.

The forecaster has issued two new yellow weather warnings for rain in south-west Scotland and the Aberdeenshire coast from 9pm on Thursday to 9am Friday.

There is the possibility of thunder, while 20-30mm of rainfall is expected widely across both areas – with a chance of 40-50mm over higher ground.

A yellow wind warning has also been issued covering northern England and north Wales from 5am to 11am on Friday, with the storm widely expected to bring gusts of 50-60mph in the region.

It comes after large parts of Scotland and northern England faced heavy rain and strong winds on Wednesday.

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Two yellow wind warnings covering northern Wales and northern England, including Cumbria and Northumberland, were already in place on Thursday morning.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “Storm Lillian is an area of low pressure which is going to be drifting towards the UK from the west and bringing some strong winds and some heavy rain in the early hours of Friday and through Friday morning as well.”

Lilian is the 12th named storm of the season – the furthest the Met Office have got through the list since it was introduced – and the first since April.