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New year celebrations off after weather warnings

Getty Images Participants run from the sea as they take part in the annual New Year's Day swim at Barry Island as several hundred swimmers marked start of 2016 by taking a dip in the sea in Whitmore Bay on January 1, 2016 in Barry, Wales. Getty Images
The New Year's Day dip has been held in Barry Island since 1984 and has not been cancelled, but people have been advised against fully going in

Some fireworks displays and swims planned for New Year celebrations in Wales have been cancelled due to weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain.

Several New Year's Day swims in north, west and south Wales have been cancelled for safety reasons.

A New Year's Eve firework display to mark 1,500 years since the founding of Bangor, in Gwynedd has also been called off.

A yellow wind warning, issued by the Met Office, is in force across Wales from 09:00 GMT on New Year's Day until 06:00 on Thursday, 2 January..

New Year's Day swims in west Wales which are off include Newport, St Davids and Haverfordwest, while the RNLI also cancelled its annual dip in Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd.

The New Year's Day dip in Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, has not been cancelled - but people have been advised against going fully into the sea to avoid harm and to judge conditions at their own risk.

Fireworks displays arranged for New Year's Eve in Bangor, Gwynedd, and Beaumaris, Anglesey, have also been called off because of the weather.

Forecasters have warned wind gusts of up to 75mph (120km/h) could cause disruption across Wales on Wednesday.

People have also been advised to check before they travel, as disruption on rail and roads is likely.

Transport for Wales said wind and rain weather warnings in place until New Year's Day "may result in short-notice changes or cancellations".

It advised commuters to check the latest weather forecasts and service updates before travelling.

Those keen for a New Year's Day walk have been asked to avoid travelling to forests and reserves, as Natural Resources Wales says the risk of falling trees or branches remains significant.

Parts of north Wales may be hit by flooding, as National Resources Wales have issued flood alerts for river catchment areas in Conwy, Dyfi, Powys, Clwyd and Alyn.