People living along the south and west coasts of Cornwall are being advised to be prepared for possible tidal flooding between Friday and Saturday as heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to combine with high tides.

Following Met Office warnings of heavy rain and strong winds for the South West of England, agencies in Cornwall are asking everyone to be prepared and take precautions where necessary.

The latest information from the Met Office is for heavy rain and strong winds to affect parts of Cornwall during Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning. The Environment Agency has warned many coastal areas will be affected by high tides in the coming days.

Interim repairs have all been completed by Cornwall Council to areas of coastal defences damaged in the recent storms between Christmas and the New Year.

Work has taken place in Eastern Green at Long Rock, Portreath, Newquay, Bude, Seaton, Kingsand and Falmouth. Cornwall has responded swiftly to make essential emergency repairs and has also worked on schemes for full repairs where necessary.

A Cornwall Council spokesman said: "There is a risk that the combination of the already saturated ground, strong winds and the predicted further rainfall, strong winds and high tides could cause minor flooding and coastal damage in some areas. As a result people living in areas in coastal areas or at risk of flooding are advised to take precautions and not to drive through any flood water. We are also advising people to avoid walking along the coast path and by cliff edges during the strong winds.

"Officers from Cornwall Council’s Highways, Environment, Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management services, Devon and Cornwall Police, CORMAC and the Environment Agency are monitoring the situation and are on standby to deal with any problems."

A Silver Conference call will take place at 11am today (Friday 31 January).

Anyone whose property is prone to flooding should ensure they have a supply of sandbags ready to protect their home or business should they need to. Local communities are also encouraged to check with vulnerable neighbours in case they need help with obtaining flood protection materials.

Sandbags can be obtained from builders merchants, DIY and hardware stores. Anyone who is unsure if their property is at risk can check on the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Members of the public are advised to sign up to receive free flood warnings from the Environment Agency website, check weather reports on the Met Office website or by listening to local radio , checking local media and be prepared to change travel plans.

Further advice on preparing for flooding is also available from the Council’s website at ww.cornwall.gov.uk/flooding