Flood alerts as Storm Herminia hits West Midlands

The Environment Agency warned people not to travel near low-lying land

A series of flood warnings and alerts have been issued across the West Midlands as Storm Herminia hits parts of the UK.

River levels in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire are expected to rise due to heavy wind and rain overnight.

The Environment Agency issued eight flood alerts and one flood warning in the region - with low-lying land expected to be hit the hardest.

It asked people to avoid using footpaths and bridges near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers.

With more than 40 flood warnings in place across England and Wales, the Met Office predicts 20mm to 40mm of rain to fall quite widely and 50mm to 70mm on higher ground.

Hereford Racecourse was due for an inspection on Monday that was called off due to a waterlogged track.

Officials had called a 07:30 GMT precautionary inspection after 10mm of rain on Sunday afternoon, with strong winds and further rain forecast overnight.

However, an earlier decision was made with the track not raceable due to flooding on a bend and further areas of standing water.

The Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the River Teme at Stanford Bridge in Worcestershire.

It said river levels are rising at the river gauge with a risk to property, roads and farmland.

"Flood water could be deep and fast-flowing, and therefore pose a risk to life.

"Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours. We expect river levels to remain high in the coming days," the agency said in a statement.

People living in the area have been asked to put up flood barriers and air brick covers.

Flood alerts have also been issued for areas close to the below watercourses after heavy rainfall overnight.

• River Middle Avon Rugby to Bidford, Warwickshire

• River Arrow and River Alne, Worcestershire

• River Blythe, Warwickshire

• River Leam and River Itchen, Warwickshire

• River Salwarpe, Worcestershire

• River Sow and River Penk, Staffordshire

• River Stour and Smestow Brook, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire

• River Stour, Worcestershire

The agency said further rainfall was forecast over the next 48 hours, so river levels were expected to remain high until Tuesday.