The weather is expected to hit the region at around 6pm on Christmas Day until midnight on Boxing Day.

In response Electricity North West, the region’s power network operator, is closely monitoring the weather and engineers have been ensuring that key substations are protected.

Mark Williamson, operations director for Electricity North West, said: “We are closely monitoring the weather and we’ve taken extra measures to get ready in case severe weather hits our region.

“We worked around the clock recently restoring power to thousands of customers in Cumbria and Lancashire when Storm Desmond hit and I want to reassure our customers that we are on hand again and we’re doing everything we can to protect the network.

“We are here 24 hours day seven days a week so please contact us if you need any advice or information.”

Vulnerable customers, including some older or disabled people, or those with a medical dependency on electricity, can also sign up to the Priority Services Register by visiting www.enwl.co.uk/priority or contacting Electricity North West on 0800 195 4141.

For advice on how to stay safe in a flooding event, please visit www.enwl.co.uk/power-cuts/flooding-advice.

To report a power cut please call 0800 195 4141 or follow @ElectricityNW or visit www.electricitynorthwest.co.uk.