Revellers heading out for New Year's Eve may have their celebrations dampened tonight as several weather warnings have been issued.

Wind and rain is set to batter Kent throughout the day and several flood alerts have been put in place - but it is expected to be a drier evening.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Helen Caughey said it would be an “unsettled” weekend for much of the UK.

"New Year’s Eve for most will be the wetter of the two days, with a number of fronts bringing rain and wind across much of the country,” Ms Caughey said.

"The unsettled weather will stay with us into the evening. Much of Scotland will see a largely dry day, with just the odd shower, before a more persistent band of rain and hill snow arrives.

"This will be followed by a more mixed New Year’s Day, with Scotland seeing the bulk of the unsettled conditions, with spells of rain, turning to snow over higher ground, continuing to push north.

"While it will be mild across the south, it will remain colder in the north with an ice risk in places here early on Sunday.

"Elsewhere, a drier day is expected, although with some showers, mainly across western areas, ahead of conditions becoming more widely settled into Monday."

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued several flood alerts across Kent.

Flooding is possible near the River Medway from Hampstead Lock in Yalding to Allington Lock, which includes East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.

An alert was also issued yesterday as levels rise on the Upper River Beult in the Bethersden, Smarden and Headcorn areas. Levels are expected to remain high until New Year's Day.

Those living near the Great Stour from Charing Heath to the A2070 including Ashford, as well as near the East Stour, the Whitewater and Ruckinge Dykes and the Aylesford Stream have also been issued with a flood alert.

The River Medway, from Forest Row to Penshurst, and the River Rother from Turks Bridge to the Royal Military Canal, are also affected.

A flood alert was also issued for the River Teise area from Lamberhurst to Goudhurst, including the River Bewl and tributaries of the River Teise.

There are also delays of up to one hour on DFDS Seaways at the Port of Dover.

P&O and Irish Ferries are running as scheduled.

The Met Office has urged people to monitor their website or app for any further weather warnings over the weekend.

Next week there is expected to be calmer weather in the south as high pressure clings on and more unsettled conditions due to low pressure in the north.

It comes after heavy rain resulted in widespread flooding across southern and central parts of Scotland, bringing travel disruption on Friday.

Forecasters have said the deadly bomb cyclone that sent temperatures plunging in the US over Christmas is causing the unsettled weather in the UK.