GALE-FORCE winds are expected to blast Ireland and western Britain when Storm Callum blows in from the Atlantic this weekend.

The storm, which could bring gusts of up to 80mph, will hit on the morning of the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie and her long-term partner Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for Friday and Saturday and said to expect heavy and persistent rain which has the potential to cause flooding, "difficult" driving conditions and potential road closures.

Met Eireann issued an orange warning for gale-force winds of up to 80mph for all the coastal counties in the Republic of Ireland on Thursday and Friday.

The storm will hit the UK just hours before Princess Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank are expected to tie the knot in front of over 800 guests at the chapel in Windsor Castle at 11am on Friday October 12.

But the Met Office said on Wednesday the worst of the weather would be in western Scotland, Wales and the Lake District.

In a tweet, it added: "Friday's weather system has been named as #StormCallum by @MetEireann. The strongest winds are likely in western Ireland though NW parts of the UK can expect severe gales. The main impacts for the UK will be from heavy rain across some western areas Friday & Saturday #weatheraware."

The storm warnings come as temperatures were set to soar to 25C (77F) on Wednesday.