Met Office issues weather warnings for whole of England and Wales as storm brings severe gales and Environment Agency warns of flooding

Britons are braced for more lashing rain as flood warnings were issued for parts of the country as Storm Clodagh wreaked havoc.

Flights were diverted, trains delayed and traffic held up on motorways at the weeknd as heavy rain and strong winds hit Scotland and the north west of England.

There is little sign of respite with the Environment Agency issuing yellow flood warnings for Wales and the north of England for Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, two days of rain could leave parts of north Wales under 60mm of precipitation.

The north of England could see 30-40mm of rain during the same period, say the Met Office. A spokeswoman also warned that parts of Scotland, which is on a yellow snow warning, could have 2.5cm of snow on Monday.

    

On Sunday in Ireland, thousands of properties were left without electricity after Storm Clodagh battered the republic.

Meanwhile, coastguards had to pull a windsurfer out of the water at Seaburn Beach, Sunderland, after he was separated from his board in 60 mph winds. Two people were rescued from the Tyne by the RNLI after their boat was capsized by the wind.

Transport services also were also hit. Fallen trees on the line between Carlisle and Lancaster caused delays on the Northern Rail service, while a small number of flights were diverted at Manchester Airport.

The roof of a parade of shops was blown off and onto cars below on Moorfield Avenue in Denton, Tameside this afternoon with residents living in flats above the shops given temporary shelter for the night.

A number of trees were also blown over and part of the Christmas market in Manchester city centre was closed for safety reasons as high winds swept the area.

A flurry of local authorities cancelled their Christmas lights switch-on events, with the list including Kilmarnock, Stoke, Maidenhead, Lichfield and Gosport.

Storm Clodagh was set to pass overnight, giving buffeted Britain respite from the worst of the gales.

The Met Office has issued weather warnings covering the whole of England and Wales until Sunday evening.

Northern areas were still forecast to suffer rain, sleet and snow showers on Sunday night, according to the Met Office, with icy stretches developing across Scotland and a some rain in England and Wales.

But the severe gales were gradually expected to ease, and southern areas were due to be breezy and mild on Monday. Northern Scotland was due to see sunshine and wintry showers, and the north of England some rain.

Storm Clodagh is the third storm to be named by the Met Office as part of a new campaign to improve awareness of major weather threats. It follows Storm Barney earlier this month and Storm Abigail in October.