STORM Dennis could be worse than Storm Ciara, experts are warning.

The UK is bracing itself for another weekend of widespread disruption as Storm Dennis sweeps across the country.

Heavy rain and strong winds are due to strike the country from Saturday morning and are likely to affect transport links and trigger floods.

Flights will be grounded for safety reasons, with British Airways and easyJet confirming cancellations, and anyone hoping to fly is advised to check their airline's website for the latest updates.

More than 230 easyJet flights in and out of the UK on Saturday have been cancelled due to the weather.

Wind speeds are forecast to reach 70mph along coastlines while some parts of the country could witness up to 4.7in (120) of rain.

Experts have warned that conditions amount to a "perfect storm", with hundreds of homes at risk of flooding.

It comes after one man from Micheldever lost his life during Storm Ciara last weekend, after a tree fell on his car whilst travelling on the A33 between Basingstoke and Winchester.

There was widespread transport disruption, power cuts, roads blocked and more as amber weather warnings covered swathes of the region.

Currently, North Hampshire is covered by a yellow weather warning of wind between 10am on Saturday and midday on Sunday, whilst also there is a yellow warning for rain between midday on Saturday and 9pm on Sunday.

There is also an amber warning of rain, meaning that flooding is likely and this could cause a danger to life, between 12.15am and 6pm on Sunday. It covers parts of Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

The Met Office has issued eight weather warnings covering most of the UK this weekend.

A spokesman for British Airways said: "The majority of our flights are planned to operate as planned, but, like all airlines flying to and from the UK today, we are experiencing some disruption due to the stormy weather conditions.

"We are merging a small number of Heathrow short-haul flights to the same destination and using larger aircraft where possible to minimise disruption.

"Customers can check ba.com for the latest flight information."

A spokeswoman for easyJet, which has confirmed 234 cancellations, said: "Due to forecasted adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Dennis, easyJet, like other airlines, is currently seeing disruption to its flight programme for Saturday February 15th.

"We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the disruption for our customers and to arrange alternative travel.

"Customers on cancelled flights have been given the option of transferring their flight free of charge or receiving a refund. We will also provide hotel rooms and meals for customers who require them.

"We recommend customers travelling to and from UK today, February 15th, to check the status of their flight and gate information on easyJet's Flight Tracker at www.easyjet.com/en/flight-tracker or on the app for latest travel updates.

"Whilst this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to passengers for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the weather.

"The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority."

Ryanair said all its flights are operating as normal.

Power cuts are also expected and there is a good chance that train and buses will see cancellations or delays and roads closed.

The Environment Agency (EA) said flooding is likely to be worse than under last weekend's Storm Ciara due to rain falling on already saturated ground.

In England alone, 800 properties were left flooded when Storm Ciara struck, the EA said.

Newly-appointed Environment Secretary George Eustice said authorities were "fully focused on ensuring that communities are protected".

Troops are being deployed to help with preparations in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire.

Calderdale Council said military personnel would also join workers and volunteers to support flood recovery efforts in the area, which was badly hit by flooding during Storm Ciara.

Storm Dennis is forecast to bring heavy rain across the Pennines, leaving towns like Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd in the Calder Valley at risk of further flooding.

The Met Office said the "main areas of concern" on Saturday are north and south-west England and Wales, with the South East bearing the brunt more on Sunday.

As of 11pm on Friday, there were 12 flood warnings - meaning flooding is "expected" - and 141 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - in places across the country.

Flood defences are due to be in operation this weekend, with additional temporary flood barriers being installed in Shropshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Surrey.

More than 500 staff are on active incident duty and 30 mobile pumps have been deployed, the EA said.

Network Rail has advised passengers to expect disruption on many routes due to flooding and to allow more time for their journeys.

Meanwhile, people living near the railway are being urged to secure any loose items in their gardens, after several trampolines were blown on to tracks and overhead electric wires last weekend, blocking lines.

The storm is also likely to cause treacherous driving conditions, with drivers urged not to attempt entering deep floodwater.