PASSENGERS are being warned of likely rail disruption as Storm Dennis sweeps across Britain.

Train-users across Cumbria and the north west are advised to allow more time for journeys this weekend as the UK's latest storm is set to wreak havoc.

Network Rail’s key message to train passengers planning journeys this weekend is to 'check before you travel'.

Following Storm Ciara last weekend, which caused waterlogged ground and swollen rivers, further floods and winds of up to 70 miles per hour are likely.

Dennis is likely to disrupt some rail journeys between London Euston, the West Midlands and Chilterns, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire and Cumbria.

With river levels high, ground saturated and many trackside trees weakened, particularly in the North West, passengers were advised to allow more time - and to check before travelling.

Jake Kelly, passenger director for Network Rail, said: “Storm Ciara dumped a month and a half of rain on us last weekend, leaving ground waterlogged and rivers swollen.

“We had a lot of flooding in the North West and a lot of it disrupted the railway, for example at Todmorden and Caldew near Carlisle.

“With Storm Dennis set to bring more high winds and further rainfall this Saturday and Sunday, we’re preparing for more of the same.

“Our advice to passengers is: Please check before you travel at National Rail Enquires or with your train operator.

“That way you’ll have the very latest information and you’ll know what to expect.”

Last weekend, teams of Network Rail engineers worked to remove fallen trees and other debris from the railway, repair damaged wires and recover sections of flooded railway.