Britain is on alert for a chaotic New Year as Storm Dylan is forecast to hit the UK with 80mph winds early on Sunday morning. 

The Met Office issued six severe weather warnings of which an amber, the second most serious alert, for snow in parts of northern England, four yellow snow and ice warnings and one yellow warning for wind.

Northern Ireland and southern Scotland are expected to experience winds of up to 80mph.

Forecasters warned there is a potential for "injuries and danger to life from flying debris".

The Met Office said: "Some very strong winds are possible across Northern Ireland and then southern Scotland on New Year's Eve.

“There is a small chance of damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, with the potential for injuries and danger to life from flying debris. 

“Large waves and beach material being thrown into coastal areas could also be a hazard.”

Emma Sharples, a forecaster for the UK Met Office, said: “Met Eireann has now named Storm Dylan which will affect Ireland and then northern Britain on Saturday night and through Sunday.

“It is looking very unsettled over the next few days with several low-pressure systems coming in off the Atlantic. 

“Friday night will see a band of rain pass through England and Wales and later Scotland with another system on Saturday night giving rise to the fourth named storm of the season.

“It will remain unsettled through next week with more rain and strong winds in the forecast.”

The warning comes after heavy snow, rain, thunderstorms and wind caused disruption across much of Britain on Friday as the country was gripped by another day of wintry weather.

Heavy downpours are also predicted to blight much of south-east Wales, plus south-western, central and southern parts of England across the weekend.

The Met Office said: "With the ground very wet in these areas, this is likely to lead to rising water levels and some flooding in places."

BBC Weather, on behalf of the Met Office, issued a yellow warning of ice for the Greater London area.

Meteorologist Alex Burkhill said: "The good news is the worst of the weather will clear by midnight for the New Year's Eve celebrations.

"There will be some wind and rain in the South and West, and the North and East have a better chance of staying dry.

"It will be a chilly night, but not exceptionally cold and the breeze might blow a few fireworks in slightly different directions but it shouldn't cause too many problems."

Dylan will be the seventh storm of the year, following the three named storms Aileen, Brian and Caroline.