Hurricane Rina was upgraded to a category two hurricane earlier as it gathered strength on approach to the Mexican holiday destination of Cancun.

Brining winds well in excess of 100 mph, the storm is the sixth named hurricane of the Atlantic season this year.

Rina has already soaked coffee and sugar growing countries of Central America on approach to Mexico.

At present the weather system is about 340 miles east-southeast of Chetumal, Mexico, moving west-northwest with winds of up to 80 mph, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Officials there warned winds will strengthen to at least 120 mph as the storm makes landfall at the end of the week.

The centre added: “Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Rina could become a major hurricane by Wednesday.”

No coastal warnings were in effect on Monday.