SEVERE weather that caused havoc across England yesterday is heading for Scotland today.

The Met Office updated weather warnings to amber status, warning much of Scotland to be ready for extreme conditions.

The heaviest and most persistent rain is expected in the early hours of this morning over the Borders, Lothians and Fife. 

Amber alerts also cover most of central Scotland, Tayside, Fife and Lothian and Borders.

The warnings came as torrential rain led to flooded homes, road closures and havoc on public transport in England. Up to a month's rain was thought to have fallen in some areas.

Dozens of flood warnings and alerts were in place as the latest downpours continued on ground saturated after three months of record-breaking rain.

Transport Minister Keith Brown confirmed preparations were in place to monitor the road network today.

He said: "The rain that is currently affecting England is set to cross the border into Scotland, meaning possible disruption and difficult conditions for some motorists - I would once again urge the public to check before they travel for the latest information."

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued flood alerts for most of Scotland, warning of heavy and persistent rainfall for Friday night and through Saturday, which may lead to flooding in some parts.

It warned all river levels were expected to rise rapidly and there could be flooding as a result. Stewart Prodger, from SEPA, said: "We'll be monitoring the situation 24/7 and would urge those living, working or travelling through flood-risk areas to remain vigilant."

Parts of Scotland were already feeling the effects of torrential rain yesterday.

Fourteen people, including a 14-month-old baby, were rescued on the island of Mull after being stranded by flash flooding on Thursday night.

The group was rescued at about 8pm after severe flooding and a landslide blocked the B8035 and washed away two bridges.

Police and local boat owners took the 13 adults and the baby by boat to safety. The road was subsequently closed.

The rescued people were English and foreign tourists. A further 13 people had to be evacuated from nearby holiday cottages

One family of nine was stranded in a remote farmhouse beside Ben More.

Tom Marsland, 44, said the storm struck at Derry Guaig Farmhouse when his home was full of relatives visiting on holiday. "I have never seen water like that in my life, I have never seen a storm like that. The whole hillside and the field was a massive big river," he said.

Local man Martin Keivers, 51, who photographed one of the collapsed bridges, said: "It was complete devastation. The surface of the road had been peeled back and huge boulders were in the space. You could hear boulders thundering down."

In England, the Environment Agency said 94 homes were flooded yesterday and the M50 was among a number of roads closed by the bad weather. Flooding and landslips caused delays on major rail routes.

Six people were rescued from a flooded caravan park in North Yorkshire after heavy rain left the site under 2ft of water.

With continuing downpours tonight, the Environment Agency warned the country was "not out of the woods yet".

The worst-affected area this morning is expected to be the south-west of England, which has already seen extremely heavy rain.