BORDERERS are being advised to batten down the hatches as the region prepares for an amber weather warning.

In addition to the yellow warning for rain already in place - which covers areas between Peebles and Eyemouth - an amber warning affecting parts of the central and eastern Borders has been issued by the Met Office.

From 12pm tomorrow (Friday, October 20) until 6am on Saturday (October 21) the amber warning will see "persistent" rain affecting areas such as Galashiels, Melrose, Kelso and Cockburnspath.

There is also a yellow warning for win affecting the Borders coast.

In preparation for Storm Babet this week, flood barriers have been utilised in Eyemouth.

On the amber warning, a Met Office spokesperson said : "Following on from wet weather on Thursday, a further spell of persistent and at times heavy rain will affect parts of southeast Scotland and northern England during Friday, lasting into early Saturday.

"Widely 40-60 mm of rain is likely to fall, but the east-facing high ground from southeast Scotland to the Cheviots, south to the Peak District may see between 80 and 120 mm of rain locally.

"Strong easterly winds may exacerbate the impacts of the heavy rain."

SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) has issued a flood alert for the Borders.

A Scottish Borders Council (SBC) spokesperson added: "Due to the persistent and at times heavy rain and already saturated ground, river and surface water flooding is likely, particularly within the amber warning area.

"Residents are urged to put in place property-level flood defences where they have these available.

"The main risk of river flooding is currently expected to be associated with the Whiteadder, Blackadder, Leader and Eye Water.

"The Bowmont Water and potentially the Gala Water and Eddleston Water may also be impacted.

"All Scottish Borders Council’s sandbag stores are fully stocked to assist residents in affected areas.

"A multi-agency control centre will operate throughout the amber warning period to manage any Council and partner responses as required."

Updates on the weather situation can be found through SBC's free emergency messaging service SB Alert and at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/severeweather

To sign up to SB Alert visit: www.sbalert.co.uk