New Year to be hit by storms

Storms are to batter the West Midlands - with outdoor New Year parties set to be hit. Winds of 50mph and heavy rain is expected today and on New Year's Eve.

Express & Star weatherman John Warner said New Year's celebrations in the West Midlands would be dampened.

"New Year's Eve will have more heavy rain and winds gusting up to 50mph. It's not great if you are outside," he said.

And drivers in the region are being urged to take care in the conditions which are expected to make the roads difficult over the next few days.

Organisers of Scotland's biggest Hogmanay parties - where more than 125,000 people are expected to celebrate - are monitoring weather forecasts carefully.

A spokesman for Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2007 said: "There would have to be severe gales on the night for the event to be cancelled.

"Our first priority is the safety of the public and the final decision is made on Sunday."

In 2003, Edinburgh's Hogmanay party was cancelled at the last minute because of stormy weather, disappointing tens of thousands of people.

North of the border is expected to get the worst of the Atlantic storms with winds up to 80mph.