Gale force wind alert as Storm Claudio to hit New Forest and Christchurch on Tuesday morning

GALE force winds could batter the New Forest and Christchurch on Tuesday morning.

The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for between midnight and 8am, and warns Storm Claudio could bring gusts of up to 70mph.

This could mean delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport, with some short power cuts and large waves for coastal communities and seafronts.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "A small area of low pressure, named Storm Claudio by Meteo France, will move eastwards through the English Channel bringing a spell of strong to gale force winds.

"While the strongest winds are expected over the Channel Islands and northern France, parts of southern England may well see gales for a time overnight.

"Southerly winds will strengthen before veering westerly and are expected to gust to 50-60mph, especially over coastal areas, with a risk of isolated coastal gusts to 70mph.