AYRSHIRE  residents have been urged to stay safe and be aware of the dangers of Storm Gerrit while out and about along the coast.

The RNLI is asking people who live near the coast to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts, and piers after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning to coastal areas across the UK.

Winds have been forecast to reach 70mph on exposed coastlines, and heavy rain and snow are expected on Wednesday, December 27 and Thursday, December 28.

While those weather warnings do not currently include the Ayrshire coast, winds gusting up to nearly 50mph are expected in the area during Wednesday afternoon.

The RNLI advises those in coastal areas to stay well back from stormy, wintry seas and cliff edges, to check the weather forecast and tide times before venturing out, and to take a phone when outdoors, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard in an emergency.

RNLI water safety partner Gareth Morrison said: “The forecasted strong winds along with heavy rain and snow are likely to cause dangerous conditions for those visiting the coast around the UK and Ireland.

“The RNLI advises staying a safe distance away from the water and cliff edges as the conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

“If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if by the coast, or just 999 if inland.

“If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them.

"Don’t go in the water yourself – you may end up in difficulty too.”