Flood alerts for UK after heavy rainfall

Parts of north-east England, south-west England and Wales have been warned to expect floods, with more heavy rain forecast over the next few days.

Two flood warnings have been issued for the North East, two for Wales and another in the South West.

There are also 69 flood watches across the rest of England and Wales, with the Met Office warning of heavy rainfall in Wales and south-west England overnight.

BBC forecaster Jay Wynne said up to 60mm could fall in the next 24 hours.

He said south-west England, Wales and the north of Scotland would see the most rainfall, but all of the UK would experience some rain overnight.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has also issued two flood watches.

One is in place for Edinburgh and Lothian rivers, with heavy rainfall expected across the Haddington and East Lothian area on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

A second flood watch has been issued for Orkney Rivers.

The Environment Agency's flood warnings are in force in north-east England on part of the River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill and part of the River Ouse at Naburn Lock.

In south-west England, a flood warning is in place on the River Tamar from Tamarstone to Polson Bridge.

In Wales, one flood warning affects the A487 at Dyfi Bridge, Pennal and parts of Machynlleth, while the second is issued for the River Rheidol at Aberystwyth.

A Environment Agency spokesman said: "Rivers are currently reacting to overnight rainfall and levels are relatively high.

"With further rain forecast tonight and tomorrow, and the ground approaching saturation point, further flood alerts and flood warnings may be issued across Wales and South West England.

"Environment Agency staff are on 24-hour alert and teams are monitoring river levels, checking flood defences and clearing river blockages."

The BBC's Jay Wynne said the heavy rain in south-west England and Wales will ease off during the day on Friday, leading to a dry and breezy night.

"On Saturday there will be very strong winds and heavy rain from north Wales northwards, and it will be windy everywhere.

"Heavy rain will slowly slip southwards Saturday night into Sunday," he said.