RESIDENTS and business owners in East Lancashire are braced for severe weather later today.

Strong winds and rain are expected to make their way north with the region set to be hit at around lunchtime.

Coastal areas are expected to be worst hit, with flood warnings in place across the county.

And the Ribble Estuary at Penwortham is also at high risk of flooding, the Met Office has reported.

Wind speeds in East Lancashire could reach 26mph later tonight with temperatures just above freezing.