THE region was bracing itself last night for the first storm of the autumn.

Gusts up to 75mph were expected and set to continue this morning.

The Met Office was warning that damage to trees was likely with possible uprooting and some building damage is expected.

Driving conditions were also expected to be dangerous with high-sided vehicles at risk of overturning.

Experts say the reason for the sudden change in weather is due to an intense depression blown in from the Atlantic bring with it high winds. It is not thought that there will be much rain.

A spokeswoman for the Press Association Weather Centre said last night: "The winds around the Merseyside area are expected to reach around 70-75mph and start at around midnight until 3pm the next day."

A spokesman for Liverpool coastguard said last night: "We have been putting out weather warnings all day and I would hope that we will not find any small vessels out there tonight.

"The other problem is that people sit on the wall to watch the storm waves.

"What they don't realise is that the waves throw up concrete and bricks that can hit them, and let alone they can get swept away."