Storm Éowyn is expected to be one of the most intense storms in decades with forecasters warning of a danger to life and widespread disruption, especially across Northern Ireland

Rail services and flights have been axed, with rare red weather warnings issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Eowyn is likely to damage buildings, uproot trees and cause power cuts, the Met Office said.

Millions of people in Scotland received an emergency alert to their mobile phones after the Met Office issued a red danger to life warning for wind. The Cabinet Office alert at around 6pm on Thursday in response to Storm Eowyn was the largest real-life use of the emergency system to date.

Millions of phones will blare to the sound of a 10-second siren this evening when the Government issues an emergency alert over Storm Eowyn. The Met Office earlier issued a red danger to life warning for wind across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.