MOTORISTS have been warned that gale-force winds could lead to treacherous driving conditions tonight and over the weekend.

Winds gusting up to 70-80 mph, accompanied at times by heavy rain, are expected to make driving difficult across many parts of the country according to the Highways Agency.

Forecasters said there was then likely to be a brief respite tomorrow, before more gale force winds battered parts of Britain on New Year's Eve.

A spokesman for MeteoGroup UK said winds gusting to speeds of 60mph to 70mph could hit areas of Northern Ireland, north-west England, Scotland and Wales tonight.

But he added that almost the whole country would experience an increasingly windy day and motorists particularly were warned to take extra care.

"Tonight it looks like a low pressure system will move across Ireland and Scotland and that will increase winds in Northern Ireland, north-west England, Wales and Scotland.

"In the worst affected areas we are looking at gusts of 60-70mph but it is difficult to say exactly where."

Although temperatures will be above average for the time of year, the high winds are expected to be accompanied by rain in many places.

He said tomorrow was likely to be a "blustery" day of wind and rain before another stormy weather system moved in on Sunday.

"Another low pressure area will be going across Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland and then everywhere will have quite strong winds with gales in the north west of the UK," he said.

In Oxfordshire, wind speeds are expected to reach about 30mph on New Year's Eve.

The Highways Agency has advised all road users, but especially motorcyclists and high-sided vehicle drivers, to take extra care on the roads.

A Highways Agency spokesman added: "Rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance to stop, so drivers are advised to use headlights and keep well back from the vehicle in front.

"Water on the road can reduce tyre grip and makes steering unresponsive. Drivers should ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually."

The agency said the best way for drivers to stay safe on the roads during winter was to plan journeys.

Up-to-date information on road conditions on England's motorways and trunk roads, is available on the agency's website at www.highways.gov.uk or call 08457 504030.

For information on weather conditions, consult the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio broadcasts.