Rail passengers have been warned that storm force winds are likely to disrupt services this morning.

Passengers are being advised to expect delays and disruption as forecasters are predicting winds in excess of 70mph across the South Coast on Monday.

Southern Railway issued a warning saying that speed restrictions will be to be introduced on their routes from 11am this morning.

Commuters are also warned to brace themselves for further delays although Network Rail's Specialist engineers are preparing to deploy across the network to inspect lines and repair any damage as quickly as possible.

A spokesman said: "Due to the severe weather conditions forecast for Monday February 8th, speed restrictions will be in operation on some routes from 11am as a safety precaution.

"We plan to run our Monday morning service as advertised, however passengers are advised to check their journey before traveling as disruption to services, including the morning and evening peak, is high likely.

"With the strength of the winds expected, railway infrastructure could be damaged as severe winds can blow debris and trees onto tracks and damage equipment and signals."

Storm Imogen is set to dump high tides and heavy showers across parts of Britain while also blasting it with 80mph gales.

It could bring floods, and the Met Office has issued amber warnings of wind for much of the South West. There is a yellow warning stretching from southern Wales to the Thames Estuary as the storm sweeps in from the English Channel.

Given the heightened flood risk, the Environment Agency's Jonathan Day warned: "Storm Imogen will lead to large waves and spray along the south and south-west coastal parts of England on Monday.

"We understand it is tempting to see the force of Mother Nature but people should take extreme care on coastal paths and not put themselves and rescue workers at risk."

The storm-force winds are set to create giant waves and spray for the South West and south of England, particularly in Cornwall , Devon, the Bristol Channel, and parts of the Kent and Sussex coastline on Monday.