PARKS and household waste and recycling centres across Cheshire West and Chester will be closed today (Friday) due to fears over Storm Eunice.

The decision was confirmed at a meeting of Full Council last night.

Parts of the country are currently under high alert with the Met Office warning of  significant disruption and dangerous conditions due to extremely strong winds” up to 90mph.

Wind gusts in the most exposed coastal areas could exceed 90mph, the Met Office said, while an amber warning for gusts up to 80mph covers the whole of England from 5am to 9pm.

The Met Office added that the dangerous weather phenomenon known as a sting jet – a small area of highly intense wind inside a storm – could form later on Friday.

Speaking at the council meeting at Chester Racecourse Pavilion yesterday evening, Chairman Bob Rudd told members: “I’ve got another announcement and that is to do with Storm Eunice which is hurtling across the Atlantic as we speak and is due to hit the area tomorrow.

“A decision has been taken to close parks and household waste and recycling centres for safety reasons.

"I think you’ll all agree with potential winds of 80 or 90mph, that’s a sensible precaution.”