IT'S HAPPY BLEW YEAR

Heavy rain and winds of 80mph to bash UK

- ALISTAIR GRANT

FIVE Atlantic storms will strike in nine days as 80mph gales turn the wildest winter on record even wilder.

Storm Gerrit will blitz shoppers and travellers visiting family and friends today, with the risk of toppled trees blocking roads and rail lines.

The Met Office forecast gusts up to 70mph in the south and west, and 80mph in Scotland.