GUSTS of wind as high as 100mph are due to sweep the country tomorrow, with the North-East and Yorkshire expected to be badly hit.

Scotland and the Northern Isles are braced for the highest winds, while speeds could reach up to 90mph in northern England.

Forecasters expect stormy conditions across Scotland and a risk of thunder tomorrow night.

Heavy bursts of rain could hit England, with northern England bearing the brunt.

The Met Office issued its highest - red alert - warning for winds of at least 75mph in Scotland between 3pm and 6pm tomorrow.

It also issued a lower "be aware" warning for parts of northern England.

The Highways Agency advised drivers in the North-East and Yorkshire to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel tomorrow.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes are advised to take extra care.

East Coast, which operates a London to Scotland train service, will run half the normal number of north-bound trains from Newcastle tomorrow due to expected speed restrictions as a result of the high winds.

Two trains per hour will run as usual from London but only one will continue from Newcastle to Scotland.

An East Coast spokesman said: "Our priority is to operate as normal service as possible for our customers given the severe weather forecast.

"We'll be working through the night to deliver a good service tomorrow by using our entire diesel fleet to operate services north of Newcastle, where our electric trains would otherwise be subject to severe speed restrictions."