Storm Bella will bring severe gales and heavy rain to the UK and Ireland on Boxing Day, forecasters have warned.

It comes after more than 1,000 people were advised to leave their homes immediately on Christmas Day due to flooding.

People living in 1,309 homes along the River Ouse in north Bedfordshire were told to evacuate yesterday amid fears their lives were in danger. The river broke its banks on Christmas evening, causing water to flood on to bridges and roads surrounding it in the village of Turvey.

More stormy weather is expected today with the Met Office predicting winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations of the UK.

Further downpours are also expected with 15-25mm of rain likely fall in Wales and south-west England, and up to 40-60mm over some hills.

Severe flood warnings, meaning lives are at risk, have been issued on Boxing Day for the Bedford area.

Danger-to-life flood warnings are also in place for the Cogenhoe Mill caravan site and Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, both on the River Nene in Northamptonshire.

More than a thousand people were forced to flea the Billing Aquadrom Holiday Park on Christmas Eve due to severe flood warnings.

Northamptonshire Police said water had reached 5ft high in some places, with emergency services using boats to take residents in the worst-hit areas to safety.

As of 10.00am on Saturday, there were 68 flood warnings in place across England, meaning that flooding is expected and immediate action is required; and 96 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible and people should be prepared.

Bella follows relatively calm and cold conditions across the UK on Friday and early morning snowfall in some areas.

It has led to the Met Office issuing an amber wind warning for parts of south Wales and across southern England on Saturday, which means travel could be disrupted.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning of wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.

In addition to the strong winds, the Met Office said a period of heavy rain will affect western and southern areas on Boxing Day.

A yellow warning for rain has been issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of north and south west England on Saturday, including areas where there has already been flooding from recent downpours.

In Ireland, Met Eireann issued a country-wide status yellow wind and rain warning, in force until 4am on Sunday.

Bedford Borough Council has set up COVID-safe emergency assistance centres at Bedford International Athletic Stadium and Bromham Village Hall in Bromham for those people who have to evacuate but don’t have anywhere else local to go.

On Christmas Day Bedfordshire Police ‘strongly urged’ residents living near the River Great Ouse to seek alternative accommodation due to fears of flooding.

In a video on Twitter, Superintendent Steve Ashdown said: ‘The river is currently at heightened levels and we’re predicting a significant flooding event by 8pm this evening.

‘Appreciate the timing of this at Christmas Day is not great, but the risk to you and your family and wellbeing is significant.’

He asked residents able to leave their homes to do so in a ‘Covid-safe way’ if possible, recommending they go to one single location and stay there until it is safe to return in the coming days.

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