STRONG winds are battering Southampton and Hampshire as the Met Office issued a red weather warning over Storm Eunice.

Police have advised people to stay off the roads, schools in the city are shut and the Met Office said the storm will cause 'significant disruption'.

Civic leaders have warned residents should stay indoors if possible.

The storm has been declared a major incident by police and other emergency services who form the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum.

A statement said: "For Hampshire and Isle of Wight, gusts of up to 80 miles per hour have been forecast, with even higher wind speed possible on the coast.

"The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood alerts in coastal areas.

"With high winds predicted, people are advised to avoid exposed coastal areas, take note of warning signs and be aware of the tides."

Here is the hour-by-hour wind (gust) forecast for Southampton:

8am - 47mph

9am - 49mph

10am - 61mph

11am - 61mph

12pm - 62mph

1pm - 56mph

2pm - 54mph

3pm - 48mph

4pm- 49mph

5pm - 45mph

6pm - 44mph

7pm - 38mph

8pm - 38mph

9pm - 37mph

10pm - 32mph

11pm - 30mph

The Met Office forecast said: "Becoming very windy during the morning as Storm Eunice brings widespread gales, or severe gales in places, especially during the afternoon, likely causing some significant disruption.

"Early rain clearing to brighter skies with a few blustery showers. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 9 °C.