BRACE yourself for heavy winds across Somerset on Saturday.

But hopefully they will have died down in time for Taunton Carnival in the evening.

The MetOffice has issued a yellow warning - the lowest level - for between 4am through to midnight.

A spokesman said: "A spell of strong southwesterly winds is expected.

"Some coastal routes and communities are likely to be affected by large waves, with potential for flooding of properties.

"Some transport disruption is likely across the warning area, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.

"Short term loss of power and other services is also possible."

The forecast predicts an intense low pressure system bringing a swathe of strong southwesterly winds over southern areas early on Saturday.

They will steadily transfer east through the morning and early afternoon, becoming westerly and eventually northwesterly later while also slowly easing.

Gusts exceeding 50mph are expected widely within the warning area, with gusts of around 70 mph along exposed coastal areas.

These are expected to coincide with high tides, leading to locally dangerous conditions.