Storm Ophelia is to batter parts of the UK and Ireland with gusts of up to 80mph, but the East of England should see sunshine.

Remnants of the storm - which was previously classified as a hurricane as it made its way across the Atlantic - will reach home shores today, exactly 30 years after the Great Storm of 1987 killed 18 people and caused chaos across East Anglia.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Northern Ireland, meaning there is a “potential risk to life and property”, with many public services including schools, government buildings and courts to be closed.

Fears about the impact of strong winds have seen military troops placed on standby.

A yellow warning is in place for much of Wales, Scotland, north east England, north west England, south west England and the West Midlands.

However, people in the East of England can expect a warm and mostly dry day, with temperatures reaching highs of 23C (73.4F).