A series of severe gales causing havoc in parts of the country this week will not hit Suffolk or north Essex, forecasters have said.

South westerly winds are expected to intensify this week, with gales reaching 50-60mph, particularly in areas of south east Scotland and England’s far north.

The Met Office warned some areas may be battered by gusts of up to 70mph.

But Steve Western, forecaster at Weatherquest, said: “Suffolk and north Essex will not be having any severe gales.

“It is going to be fairly breezy, that’s for sure, with moderate to fresh west, south-westerly winds, but I don’t think they will be anything particularly damaging for us.”

He said wind speeds could reach 25-35mph and gusts could get close to 40mph, with Thursday evening most likely to see the worst of the weather, he said.

He added that temperatures will remain “extremely mild” this week and in to the weekend, staying at around 14C (57F) to 16C (61F) during the day and 9C (48F) to 11C (52F) at night.