THE south west of England has been put on alert as the remains of Hurricane Gonzalo run across the Atlantic.

But forecasts suggest Dorset and Hampshire should escape the worst of the expected severe weather, with areas further west of the region bearing the brunt.

The Met Office said wet and windy conditions were predicted on Monday evening, with the strongest winds expected after the rain clears and winds veer northwesterly during Tuesday morning.

Gusts exceeding 55mph were likely inland, with 60-70mph gusts in some coastal areas in the west and possibly to around 80mph around coasts in northern Scotland.

But Dorset was excluded from the regional yellow warning of wind, which focused instead on Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol and North Somerset.

The warning said: “The public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel and possible damage to trees. Difficult driving conditions will result, perhaps exacerbated by surface water and spray in places."

The Met Office added: “Some uncertainty remains in peak windspeeds but there remains the potential for disruption to travel, especially as the strongest winds coincide with the morning rush hour in places. Fallen leaves impeding drainage increases the risk of surface water affecting roads, while some damage to trees is possible, given that many are still in full leaf.”

Gonzalo caused widespread damage and a power blackout when it hit Bermuda last week. It was weakened as it blew across the Atlantic and is no longer a hurricane but is still capable of causing damage.