Hurricane Dean could become a Category Five monster as it gathers force in the Caribbean this weekend, forecasters said.

Winds have already reached Category Four speeds of 145mph, claiming the lives of at least three people as it headed towards Jamaica - where about 5,000 Britons are on holiday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned it could achieve the highest category with winds of 150mph before it reaches Mexico on Monday.

In America, Nasa shortened today's spacewalk on the Endeavour shuttle to allow it to return before the storm arrives at the Houston mission control on Wednesday.