PROMENADES will be closed tonight as Storm Eleanor heads to Wirral.

Fort Perch Rock car park in New Brighton will be closed from 4pm today (Tuesday) due to high winds and high tide.

Kings Parade in New Brighton will be closed from 8.30pm and South Parade in West Kirby will be closed from 8pm.

Weather predictions show that strong winds may cause flooding on promenades for around two hours either side of high water later today at 11.30pm, on Wednesday at 11.54am and at 12.21am on Thursday. 

A Met Office weather warning was issued for Merseyside from 11.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Storm Eleanor will bring gusts of wind of up to 80mph on Wednesday in some coastal areas.

Disruptions and cancellations to public transport is likely and some bridges may be closed.

Power cuts and disruption to mobile phone signals may also occur.

People are also being urged of the dangers of flying debris.

Combined with a period of high tides, some western coastal towns will be affected by large waves and spray which the Met Office say may cause danger to life.

An assessment from a chief forecaster said: "A deepening area of low pressure, now named Storm Eleanor, will track east across the centre of the UK.

"This will bring gales and severe gales to Northern Ireland and northern England late on Tuesday and overnight, clearing eastern England during Wednesday morning.

"The strong winds may clip southern Scotland, with continued uncertainty in the northern extent.

"Further south, severe gales affect western and southern coasts this evening and overnight, with a very squally feature bringing a short spell of intense rainfall and very strong gusts to some inland localities.

"Wednesday daytime sees a very blustery day, with squally gusts accompanying showers in many areas.

"Throughout this period, gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely along exposed coasts, with the more exposed locations seeing gusts close to 80 mph.

"Inland gusts exceeding 60 mph are possible."