Dorset is bracing itself for more weather chaos as Storm Bert blows in this weekend.

Disruption is expected after warnings for heavy rain and strong winds were issued - with gusts of 60mph possible.

It follows snow and ice chaos across parts of Dorset on Thursday - which led to some routes remaining closed yesterday including Portesham Hill and the A352 at Middlemarsh.

A few schools also remained shut including Bere Regis Community School, Cheselbourne Village School and Portesham Primary School. St Mary's Middle School in Puddletown was partially open.

Events across the county that were due to take place over the weekend have been cancelled due to ‘adverse weather warnings’ issued by the Met Office.

A yellow 'be prepared' warning for wind has been issued for Dorset from 3pm today through to 9pm tomorrow.

The Met Office said that gusts of 60mph wind were possible during the warning.

As well as this, a yellow weather warning for rain is in force from 6am today, and lasts through to noon.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Heavy rain associated with Storm Bert may cause some travel disruption and flooding this weekend.”

As a result, the festivities of Sparkle in the Park, originally due to take place at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth on Sunday, has been called off.

Organisers made the decision to cancel the event due to the adverse weather warnings, and have announced a new date of Sunday, December 1.

A spokesperson for the event said: “The Friends of Lodmoor Country Park's free Sparkle event has been postponed for a week due to adverse weather warnings.

“Please join us now on Sunday, December 1, in the Park by the children' s play area at 3.30pm, to make seasonal craft items and decorate jars then join the walk through the candlelit wood.”

Other events over the weekend have also had to be cancelled due to the weather, such as the Dorchester Christmas lights switch-on at Brewery Square. The Christmas Market planned to be held in the square will continue to go ahead as planned.

The switch-on of the Christmas lights and associated activities in Lyme Regis were still due to go ahead today.