STORMS are set to hammer the region with torrential rain and high winds, it has been predicted.Forecasters said the southern half of England and Wales would be the first to bear the brunt of the rain with the storms moving into north east England and eastern Scotland by tomorrow evening.

STORMS are set to hammer the region with torrential rain and high winds, it has been predicted.

Forecasters said the southern half of England and Wales would be the first to bear the brunt of the rain with the storms moving into north east England and eastern Scotland by tomorrow evening.

Winds of up to 50mph are set to be accompanied by up to 40mm of rainfall.

The bad weather is likely to last up until the middle of next week when high pressure is forecast, bringing with it fine and settled weather.