The first storm of the season has been named - and is set to strike Sussex during Brighton Pride.

Storm Antoni is forecast to bring unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the country tomorrow, including the Sussex coast.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from 8am tomorrow until 8pm, with a possible “danger to life” from flying debris.

The weather service has warned of the potential of damage to buildings, including tiles being blown from roofs, as well as possible power cuts and disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services.

Injuries and danger to life could also occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

Gusts of up to 65mph are expected along most exposed coasts, with the Met Office warning that the strong winds “bring risk of disruption to travel and outdoor activities taking place”.

Heavy rain is also forecast to start from 7am, with showers and downpours forecast throughout the day.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “An area of low pressure, Storm Antoni, will bring unseasonably windy conditions to south and southwestern areas of England and Wales during Saturday. 

“Strong winds are likely to affect Irish Sea coastal areas from early morning, pushing gradually south and east and spreading inland. By the afternoon English Channel coasts will also see some very windy conditions. 

The Argus:

“Gusts of 35-40 mph are expected widely, with 50-55 mph along coastal stretches across the warning area. The strongest winds, however, will affect parts of southwest Wales and southwest England, where gusts could reach 50-55 mph inland for a time and perhaps 60-65 mph along exposed coastal areas and over high ground. 

“Later in the afternoon and through the early evening, wind strengths will begin to slowly ease from the west.”

The storm comes as Brighton Pride begins its weekend of festivities, with the annual community parade and headline performances by Black Eyed Peas and Zara Larsson.

A spokesman for Brighton Pride said: “We always plan for a wide range of scenarios and have contingency plans that adapt to emerging situations.

“We work with a multi-agency approach to make sure we do all we can, working together across the city, to make sure everyone has a happy and safe Pride.”