Cumbrian residents are being warned to brace themselves for a week of heavy rain and strong winds as Storm Gareth hits.

Flooding is possible as wet weather hits already saturated ground, while travel disruption is also likely.

The Met Office has issued several weather warnings for the coming days.

Storm Gareth has been named by the Irish Met Office, and is due to make its way to Cumbria late tomorrow.

A Met Office spokesman said heavy rain is expected to arrive just after midnight tonight, and continue until lunchtime tomorrow.

"This, incidentally, is the first rainfall warning issued anywhere across the north west since October 13 last year," he said.

It will be followed by strong winds tomorrow night, continuing into Wednesday.

The spokesman added: "Strong winds now look like affecting pretty much the entire north west, with the main period of concern being from late tomorrow evening, through the overnight period, up as far as breakfast time Wednesday morning.

"During this period in particular, gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible inland with up to 65 mph along exposed sections of coast and modest high ground.

"Together with the strong winds will come a liberal scattering of blustery/squally showers, making for very difficult driving/walking conditions at times.

"The main concerns will be to transport from downed trees, the possible overturning of HGVs on exposed/higher level routes and the potential for damage to overhead rail cables.

"A few localised power outages are also possible."

There is also the potential for large waves and spray around the coastline.

Conditions are expected to improve on Wednesday, before more heavy rain hits that night, continuing into Thursday.

The Met Office spokesman added that this could pose a flood risk for parts of Cumbria, with both river levels and surface water posing a threat.

Several roads across Cumbria remain closed due to snow, mainly on higher ground.