Tornadoes could hit parts of Sussex this afternoon after experts issued a warning for the area.

Swathes of West Sussex are within an area under a tornado warning issued by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) this afternoon.

The warning means that tornadoes could hit part of the southwest this afternoon and this evening.

A tornado warning issued by Torro this afternoon says that “isolated tornadoes” could hit West Sussex until 8pm this evening.

A spokesman said: “Whilst the overall tornado threat is low, given the linear nature of much of the activity, there is a low-end chance of one or two developing.”

It comes after tornadoes previously hit parts of Littlehampton on occasion last year.

The tornadoes left a trail of destruction in September, October and December last year.

The new tornado warning also covers parts of central England, the midlands and the channel islands.

A Met Office weather warning for wind is in place until midnight tonight with forecasts of 70mph wind gusts across Sussex.