Winds as high as 70mph and heavy rain are set to batter the county as poor weather continues to take hold during the festive season.

The Met Office rolled out its first yellow warning for Kent today warning the inclement conditions are expected to last until tomorrow night.

Last week, Storm Gerrit caused chaos after scaffolding at a shopping centre in Swanley was torn down because of the strong winds.

Fire crews were called to the scene last Wednesday after employees inside her a “loud bang”.

Elsewhere, customers heading for Leeds Castle festive lights, near Maidstone, were left annoyed after any access to the site was cancelled on the day because of safety fears.

Today, the Met Office has told people it expects strong winds to hit the southeast of England until 9pm tomorrow. Heavy rainfall is also expected to come later in the day on Tuesday.

The weather experts say people should expect delays on some roads, ferry routes and railway lines.

It also predicted some short-term power loss for homes and coastal routes to be affected by large waves and sprays.

Homeowners are also being told to prepare for flooding, with some places in the southeast expecting up to 50mm of water.

A spokesman said: “Very windy conditions are likely to quickly develop over southwest England and southern Wales on Tuesday morning and then spread eastwards across southern and some central parts of England.

“In coastal areas, winds are likely to gust towards 60 mph at times, with a lower likelihood of 70 mph gusts.

“Inland gusts of 40 to 50 mph are likely but with a smaller chance of 55 to 60 mph gusts, although the extent of such gusts carries low confidence at present.

“This windy weather will be accompanied by heavy rain in places, covered by a separate warning. Winds will start to ease from the west during the afternoon and evening.”