DRIVERS across the North-East and North Yorkshire are being warned to take extra care on the region's roads today due to high winds.

The Met Office is forecasting gales for parts of the North-East and Yorkshire and the Humber.

South westerly and westerly gusts of between 60 and 65mph are expected from around midday today and into late afternoon.

The A66 trans-Pennine route, linking the M6 in Cumbria and the A1 in County Durham, has already been shut to high-sided vehicles.

A statement from the Highways Agency said: "Drivers of high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles such as caravans and motorcycles are being urged to avoid using exposed sections of motorways and other routes across the affected areas."

Routes in the region likely to be affected by gusts include: • A1(M).

J47-J49 Between A59 Knaresborough and A168 Dishforth.

• A1(M) J58-J65 Between A1 and Washington at J65.

• A66 Between M6 J40 - A1(M) J60.

• A19 Hylton Bridge over River Wear.

• A19 Tees Viaduct.

• A19 Leven Viaduct.

• A69.