STRONG winds are expected to continue in East Lancashire this weekend with gusts reaching 40mph.

Heavy rain will fall throughout today but the Met Office said it will subside tomorrow. Gusts will reach a top speed of 38mph tomorrow with the temperature not reaching above five degrees over the two days.

A yellow weather warning was issued for the region yesterday but was not expected to continue into today.

Despite sunny spells on Sunday, the rain is set to return during the evening and into the night and heavy rain will fall throughout Monday when wind speeds will drop to 30mph and the temperature will rise to seven degrees.

This morning, the Environment Agency put a 'flood alert' in place for the low lying coastline at Blackpool which means flooding is possible along the promenades and adjacent roads.

A spokesman said: "Force seven to eight westerly winds and a tidal surge will coincide with the high astmonomical tide at 11.36am to give the possibility of some wave overtopping and spray.

"These conditions are expected mostly between 10.36am and 12.36pm."