DRIVERS are being warned to only travel in the Forest if necessary tonight.

Heavy rain and strong winds are anticipated for Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday.

And the Forester's own weather forecaster, Positive Weather Solutions, says there could even be snow overnight.

Jonathan Powell says there is a possibility that once the bulk of the rain has passed, the remaining showers will encounter colder night air and turn to snow.

Gloucestershire Police are warning drivers to take extra precautions and a severe weather warning has been issued for the whole of the South West.

Schools in the Forest have been warned to prepare for the possibility of gales damaging buildings and bringing down power lines.

Inspector Jason Keates, traffic management and road safety inspector for the county, said: "The driving conditions are forecast to be very difficult this evening and tomorrow and we urge all road users to take extra care and to only travel if absolutely necessary.

"If you must drive you should bear in mind that there's likely to be surface water and poor visibility and we urge drivers to travel at a speed appropriate to the road conditions, and to allow extra time for completing their journey."