The bad weather has forced Dreamland to close early today as rain and high winds batter parts of Kent.

The Medway Mile event, due to start at 5pm, has also been rained off, leaving 3,000 entrants disappointed.

A yellow weather warning for gale-force winds and heavy rain across the south east came into force at midday.

Up to 60mm of rain is predicted to fall in some places, along with gusts of up to 50mph.

The warning is in place from noon today until 11am tomorrow.

A Met Office spokesman said: "An area of rain and strong to gale force winds is expected to cross much of southern England before clearing to the east on Saturday morning.

"There is a low likelihood that the system could be intense enough to bring disruptive wind and rain to some parts.

"The public should be aware of the potential for disruption particularly for those engaged in outdoor activities."

The unsettled weather is due to an area of low pressure, but meteorologists are uncertain as to how intense it will be.

The spokesman added: "More than 20 mm of rainfall is expected quite widely however, there is a low likelihood that this will be deeper bringing the potential for more than 60 mm of rain in some places as well as gusts of around 50 mph on coasts and 40 mph inland."

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