EMERGENCY officers have advised people to stay away from woods and waves over the next few days - with gale force winds expected to hit Suffolk.The Meteorological Office is predicting gales or very strong winds could batter the region and has issued in advance Severe Weather Warnings.

EMERGENCY officers have advised people to stay away from woods and waves over the next few days - with gale force winds expected to hit Suffolk.

The Meteorological Office is predicting gales or very strong winds could batter the region and has issued in advance Severe Weather Warnings. Blustery gales were forecast to sweep the county until midday Wednesday .

The East Anglian Daily Times' weatherman, Ken Blowers, said yesterday: "The chief thing is the deepening depression rushing in from the Atlantic. It is coming in fast and we are thinking that it will be centred very close to East Anglia by about 12 noon Today.

"This is a depression that will come in fast and quick and pass over England quickly. It will give us a spell of heavy rain and very strong winds. These winds could gust up to 65 or 70 mph."

Forecasters warned last night that winds up to 70mph were expected to cause flooding and structural damage as severe weather swept across southern England. The south west, Devon and Cornwall, will probably be hit the worst.

The Environment Agency last nightissued two Flood Watch warnings in the Anglian Region in Cambridgeshire, 15 in the south west, four in the Thames region, three in Wales, and two in the South.

A Suffolk Coastal District Council spokesman said: "There will be a significant risk that residents could be injured by falling trees, branches, roof tiles and other windblown debris unless proper care is taken.

"Danger from large waves in exposed sea front areas may also be significant. If such severe conditions should occur, it is a good idea to stay indoors unless you really need to travel."

After todayMr Blowers said that the depression will move away and the weather will return to sunny spells and showers.

He added that temperatures today will stay close to 11C, 52F, and will then become colder and colder later in the week, although he said it would not snow.

Mr Blowers confirmed that January had been a "grim month" weather-wise.

"Eleven days have gone and eight days of January so far have seen some rain. It has been wet and changeable. At this time of year we either have the weather we are having - mild, windy and rain - or you could have a freeze."