SNOW lightly covered parts of East Lancashire this afternoon as forecasters issued a severe weather warning for high winds.

Gales of up to 90mph were expected to blast the north west from around midday tomorrow, the Met Office said.

People should be prepared for the risk of disruption to transport and power supplies, the weather forecaster announced on its website.

Gusts of wind were expected to exceed that of a fierce storm in December, which downed trees in Blackburn and Great Harwood, tore the roof off an Accrington health centre, and collapsed a wall in Nelson.

There was also a 60 per cent chance of snow, although a lesser warning of yellow - which means ‘be aware’ - was put in place by the Met Office.

The gales and snow should make way for rain on Thursday morning.