A RARE and "dangerous" weather warning has been issued for parts of Sussex as Storm Eunice is set to batter the county.

The Met Offices said flying debris could cause "danger to life" today, as the forecaster ramped up the threat level to maximum.

The warning, issued at 3.45am this morning, covers Brighton and other parts of the county from 10am until 3pm today.

An Amber warning also remains in place until 9pm.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “After the impacts from Storm Dudley for many on Wednesday, Storm Eunice will bring damaging gusts in what could be one of the most impactful storms to affect southern and central parts of the UK for a few years.

“The red warning areas indicate a significant danger to life as extremely strong winds provide the potential for damage to structures and flying debris.”

The Met Office also took the unusual step of issuing a severe weather alert with National Highways for strong winds covering the whole of the country’s strategic road network from 6am to 6pm.

National Highways said high-sided vehicles and other “vulnerable” vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over so should avoid bridges and viaducts.