Flooding is possible as the spring tides and strong winds are labelled 'large and powerful'.

Flood alerts have been issued along the coast, warning people to be prepared.

The strong winds battering the county today will make waves along the Cumbrian coast more extreme, in combination with the high spring tides.

The weather monitoring agency has issued the warning as a result of the strong winds currently battering the county.

The warning will be in force between 12pm and 23.59pm tonight.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected quite widely inland, with exposed coasts and hills having gusts of around 60 mph, perhaps locally 70 mph. Heavy rain may be an additional hazard in places.

Areas at risk include the coast from Gretna to Silloth and Silloth to St Bees.

Currently, the Environment Agency is closing flood gates.

A spokesman for the agency said: "Large and powerful waves are expected to affect the foreshore as a result of high spring tides and strong winds.

"Consequently, flooding is possible today between 12.30 and 4.30. Low lying land, roads and coastal paths will be affected.

"Wednesday afternoon’s tide will also reach the flood alert level.

"We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Our incident response staff are closing flood gates. Please be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous."

Areas that are expected to be affected:

Mossband Hall

Eden estuary

Burgh Marsh

Port Carlisle

Bowness-on-Solway

Wampool estuary

Waver estuary

Skinburness Marsh

Skinburness

Silloth

Beckfoot

B5300 coast road at Dubmill Point

Allonby

Maryport

Flimby

Workington

Harrington

Parton

Whitehaven will be affected