Ireland and Northern Ireland braced for a storm that officials warned could be one of the most dangerous they have faced when it hits early on Friday, forcing the closure of schools, universities and public transport.

Police in Northern Ireland have declared a major incident as Storm Eowyn approaches the region. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have urged people to stay at home where they can and check in on vulnerable people ahead of the severe winds.

The Met Office says there is a danger to life, with the entire island of Ireland now under red weather warnings for the first time We're bringing our live coverage of the preparations for Storm Éowyn to a close,

It comes as forecasters warned Storm Eowyn could bring winds of up to 100mph in areas affected by the rare weather alert across Scotland, Northern Ireland and north Wales on Frida