Three schools to shut in Shropshire as all sites close in Powys and Wrexham ahead of Storm Eunice

All schools and early years education settings in Powys and Wrexham will be shut - while several sites in Shropshire are also shutting down for the day.

Storm Eunice is forecast to bring with it winds of up to 60-70 mph, with stronger gusts possible.

As a result the Met Office has placed an amber weather warning for much of the UK - including Shropshire and Mid Wales - which says there is "a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life".

Damage to buildings and homes is described as "likely" while forecasters also say there is a "good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur".

Education chiefs in the Powys and Wrexham boroughs have now decided to closed all schools on Friday - with classes set to be held online.

Many Shropshire children are already set to be at home due to PD days at their schools, with decisions on closures made on an individual basis.

By 5pm on Thursday Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere was the only secondary school in the county which had announced it would shut "because of a combination of Covid staff absence and the amber weather warning".

Brown Clee primary in south Shropshire and St Martins on the border also told students to stay at home and have lessons online.

No closures in Telford and Wrekin had been announced by the end of the school day on Thursday.

Telling children to stay at home, a statement from Powys County Council said: "Information provided by organisations such as Welsh Government, Met Office and Natural Resources Wales indicate that the conditions as a result of the storm are highly likely to cause significant damage to buildings and travelling in such conditions would be dangerous.

"We do not wish to take any unnecessary risks and compromise the safety of children, young people and staff. Pupils will be able to continue with their learning on line, with schools setting appropriate tasks.

"Please be vigilant and keep safe."

The decision to move to online learning in Wrexham was taken following advice from the North Wales Strategic Command Group, which includes councils, emergency services and other organisations from across the region.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, said: “As always, public safety is our absolute priority during any adverse weather event, and we don’t want children and parents to be put at risk from high winds and flying debris while trying to get to and from school.

“This is the right thing to do I fully support the approach being taken. When it comes to severe weather forecasts like Storm Eunice, we have to be cautious and do everything we can to help keep people safe.”

The move comes after Welsh train operator Transport for Wales - who also operate services to towns in Shropshire including Shrewsbury, Telford and Ludlow - announced it would not be running any services on Friday.