Residents in the flood risk area of Brechin are to be evacuated as Storm Babet sweeps across Scotland.

A severe flood warning is set to be put in place for the River South Esk area, Angus Council has said.

Those affected are being advised to leave their homes.

The council will be going door to door shortly, with around 360 properties expected to be evacuated.

A rest centre will be set up from 3pm.

Angus Council had already confirmed that schools and early years centres would close at lunchtime. Schools will remain closed on Friday.

It comes as severe weather warnings are in place in parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Babet hits the UK.

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The downpour has already caused disruption to Scotland’s transport network.

A number of ScotRail and Stagecoach services have been cancelled and power cuts have been reported across parts of the country.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 12 flood alerts and eight flood warnings.

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