THE Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong winds later today as gusts of up to 70mph could sweep across the region.

The warning is in place from 4pm this afternoon until 2am Wednesday morning.

A Met Office spokesman said: "West to southwesterly gales and locally severe gales are likely to sweep eastwards across the area on Tuesday evening. The winds should quickly ease across western parts later on Tuesday evening.

"The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to travel and that gusts of this strength could bring down trees and lead to some damage to weakened structures."