Some of Kent's biggest tourist attractions are shutting their doors on the final day of half term as fears grow about the impact of Storm Eunice.

A rare red weather warning is in place from 10am to 3pm after an earlier amber alert for extremely strong winds is in place was put in place from 5am to 9pm. Feb 18

Port Lympne has this morning taken the decision to close for the day as have the Designer Outlet Ashford and Canterbury Cathedral.

Yesterday Leeds Castle said it would shut because of the "extreme weather forecasted".

The castle tweeted yesterday about it being "The calm before the storm..." and invited visitors to enjoy "a woodland walk with a sprinkle of snowdrops, a dash of daffodils, and a heap of hellebores".

Among other venues to make an early decision to shut was Bedgebury Pinetum.

It tweeted: "Bedgebury will be closed all day on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February due to a weather warning for high winds.

"We plan to open on Sunday following safety checks. Please do not park in front of any entrances."

As well as Leeds Castle and Bedgebury Pinetum, the The National Trust, which runs Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill in Westerham, tweeted to say the historic property would be closed because of the expected high winds.

Those thinking of visiting the country house on Saturday are advised to check to see if it has reopened.

McArthurGlen's Designer Outlet Ashford has announced it will close. It said: "Our priority is the safety of our guests and their families, as well as our employees... We aim to be open as normal on Saturday."

Elsewhere in Dover the reopening of a pier for anglers after four years as been stalled, as feared, because of the storm.

Dover Sea Angling Association had on Tuesday warned it might happen even though the Admiralty Pier was scheduled to be reused by fisherman for the fist time in four years tomorrow.

And down the road in Dover, Samphire Hoe will also be closed all day.

The Pantiles' markets in Tunbridge Wells have been cancelled for this weekend and will be rescheduled for next.

The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch has also announced it will shut.

In Medway, the Historic Dockyard will also be closed tomorrow. A post on the attraction's social media said: "Due to the extreme weather warnings, we have made the decision to close the Historic Dockyard tomorrow (Friday 18 February) to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff.

"We hope to be back open for the weekend, but please check our website and social media pages before you start your journey."

People are advised to stay at home due to the risk of injury from flying debris.