DORSET residents are being put on flood alert as the tail end of Hurricane Bertha swoops ever closer to the UK.

The remains of the hurricane are sweeping across the Atlantic and changing into a depression as it comes across.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the whole of tomorrow and warned people of the potential for Dorset to be battered by big waves and coastal gusts of over 60mph.

A spokesman for the Met Office said people should be aware of the risk of flooding as well as strong winds and large waves.

He said: "At the moment it looks as though the storm will track across the southern half of the UK on Sunday before heading out into the North Sea and travelling up the eastern coast, bringing some disruption to Scotland on Monday.

"Much of the UK will see large rainfall totals, however their remains some uncertainty relating to the strength of the winds, which could be locally very disruptive."

The Environment Agency has put out a low risk flood warning for the whole of England and Wales on Sunday.

Craig Woolhouse, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager, said: "Heavy rain on Sunday may lead to localised surface water flooding in some parts of England and Wales.

"On Sunday and Monday a combination of high spring tides and strong westerly winds bring a risk of large waves and spray and possible flooding to the south west coast of England and along the Severn Estuary."

Dorset County Council said those planning outdoor events this weekend should be prepared.

A spokesman said: “Low-lying campsites, car parks and caravan parks may be affected by the rain and outdoor events could suffer very muddy or even waterlogged conditions.

“Beaches and other coastal areas could also be hit by large waves and, if this happens, people should stay a safe distance from the shoreline.

“Motorists are also advised to take extra care while travelling, and should heed any road closure signs.”

Ross Macloed,  RNLI Coastal Safety Manager, said that the extreme wave heights  combined with high tides could make normal coastal activities significantly more risky. He said: "The force of surging water or breaking waves can easily knock you over and quickly drag you out of your depth and once in the water it can be difficult to get out.

"As little as one cubic metre of water weighs a tonne and shows that you should never underestimate how powerful the sea can be.

"If you are planning a coastal activity, our advice is to respect the water, and watch the shore from a safe distance and assess the conditions; think about the risk before deciding if  you need to go closer."

The Echo will be tracking the storm and we want to see your view of the weather.

Please send in your pictures and videos – tweet us @Dorsetecho or email newsdesk@dorset|echo.co.uk, but please remember to always be safe and don’t take any risks.