Storm Pia causes train to block railway line at Blackburn

Yellow alerts have also been issued for parts of the county by the Met Office, with the storm set to batter Lancashire with rain and winds of up to 60mph.

Northern Rail confirmed that a tree is currently blocking the railway between Blackburn and Clitheroe.

Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. 

Network Rail is working to inspect the railway.

Road, air and ferry transport services may also be affected.

Currently, all ferry sailings between Heysham and the Isle of Man have been cancelled.

There is also a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from debris, large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

The public has also been warned of potential power cuts before a busy day of travelling on Friday, 22 December across the country.

Rain is also forecast between 1pm and 10pm.

Met Office chief meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: “Strong winds are likely to develop across a large area of the UK.

“We’ve issued a large yellow warning area where there’s a potential for some impacts, but gusts of 50-60mph are possible for large parts of central and northern areas of the UK.

“Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70-80mph at times, mainly across the far north of Scotland.

“There’s a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast. This system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish Met Service, with the system likely to have more severe impacts in Denmark.”

Tonight's hour-by-hour weather forecast for Blackburn:

4pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 43mph.

5pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 43mph.

6pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 40mph.

7pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 38mph.

8pm: Heavy rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 40mph.

9pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 38mph.

10pm: Light rain. 8°C. Wind speed of 39mph.

11pm: Cloudy. 8°C. Wind speed of 38mph.