FORECASTERS have issued two severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds later this week.

The Met Office have predicted heavy rain or thunderstorms for Friday, August 9 from 12am until 11.59pm and strong winds on Saturday, August 10 from 12am to 11.59pm.

On Friday a band of heavy rain followed by thunderstorms could bring the risk of floods, delays or cancellations to public transport and danger to life

There is also a small chance that some communities could become cut off by floods.

During Saturday there may be disruption to coastal areas with spray and large waves expected and a short term loss of power.

Residents are being warned to stay safe from debris and fallen trees.

A Met office spokesman said: "A band of heavy rain, with the possibility of some very heavy bursts, will move northwards during Thursday night and Friday.

"Within this band 10-15 mm is widely expected, however some places could see as much as 30 mm in just a few hours.

"Once the rain has cleared scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop, particularly during Friday. Many places will miss these, but where they do occur 10-20 mm is possible in one hour, with perhaps 30 mm in a few hours.

"Unseasonably strong southwesterly winds are expected to cause some disruption, with gusts over 40 mph possible quite widely inland.

"Gusts over 50 mph are possible along some coasts of the Bristol Channel, English Channel and through the Strait of Dover."