The east coast of England is bracing itself for gale force winds gusting up to 60 miles an hour and heavy rain.

Jo Thewlis

The east coast of England is bracing itself for gale force winds gusting up to 60 miles an hour and heavy rain.

Suffolk Police said it will bring in Operation Stack if storm force winds which are expected to lash the North Sea close Felixstowe Port to shipping.

It could mean lorries will be forced to queue on the A14 if the port is closed due to the high winds.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for north-east England last night predicting heavy rain and gale-force winds gusting up to 60 miles and hour overnight.