EAST Lancashire householders and drivers have been warned to prepare for high and damaging winds to start the Christmas weekend.

The Meteorological Office has issued a severe weather warning for the county, including Blackburn with Darwen, covering Friday night and Saturday morning.

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Very strong winds are expected to develop with gusts of 60 to 70mph likely giving the ‘potential for structural damage’.

The Met Office ‘yellow alert’ also warns of possible disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges.

Its chief forecaster said: “A deep depression, now named Barbara, will move North-eastwards across the Atlantic, passing close to the Northwest of Scotland later Friday and overnight into Saturday.

“South to southwesterly winds will increase earliest across the west of the warning area early on Friday before the strongest winds develop.”

The warnings bring unwelcome echoes of last year’s festive season when East Lancashire was devastated by severe weather.

High winds and heavy rain left parts of the Ribble Valley, notably Whalley and Ribchester, and Padiham under feet of water.

Parts of Pendle Blackburn, Barrowford, Crawshawbooth, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Waterfoot were also flooded.

Phil Durnell, head of highways for Lancashire County Council, said: “We’re well prepared for whatever the weather holds for us over the festive period, with the medium-term forecast predicting some further unsettled weather after the high winds later this week.

“Ahead of the high winds which are forecast we’re ensuring that our highway teams and external contractors are ready to deal with incidents such as roads being blocked by trees, as well as any other maintenance needed.

“We’re also ready for any more wet or wintry weather with our teams well prepared and equipped to keep the roads moving in the event of cold weather, or respond to flooding if necessary.”

Today will start unsettled with blustery westerly winds and rain or showers, these perhaps heavy at times, and wintry over hills and tomorrow will be breezy with perhaps the odd wintry showers followed by a very windy Friday with prolonged rain.