Winds of up to 60mph could be set to hit Dorset as Storm Doris blows in.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset on Thursday.

The warning is valid from 5am to 8pm. 

It says: "Gusts of 50-60 mph are expected widely across the warning area, with the risk of 70 mph on coasts and hills.

"A small swathe of even stronger winds is likely to develop - most likely across parts of northern England, Wales, the Midlands and later East Anglia."

It warns: "Travel services could be affected including some restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries. Some damage to trees and buildings is also possible."

Winds of up to 48mph have been predicted for Bournemouth and 53mph for Swanage

The Chief Forecaster said: "A rapidly deepening area of low pressure, named Storm Doris, is expected to move quickly east across the UK during Thursday with strong winds on its southern and western flanks.

"Whilst there is confidence in the very windy spell, there is still some uncertainty about the track of Doris, and therefore the extent of the strongest winds."

There will be rain in the morning which will turn heavy around 8am but there will be sunny spells in the afternoon. 

However, Dorset looks set to escape the worst of it, with amber warnings issued for the East Midlands, East of England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

Yellow warnings have also been issued for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and the South East. 

The winds will hit the county just as residents have welcomed warm, sunny weather over the weekend and had them looking forward to spring.

Friday will be dry with winds of up to 22mph forecast.

Saturday and Sunday will be overcast but dry with highs of 10C.