Flood alerts in place as more heavy rain forecast

The Severn is one of the rivers in Shropshire hit with flood alerts

Flood alerts are in force across Shropshire, along with a warning of more heavy rain to come.

The Environment Agency said flooding was possible from Wednesday for several watercourses, including the River Severn, River Teme and River Rea.

Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer, Knighton and Ironbridge, as land near the Severn Vyrnwy confluence were affected. The agency was "closely monitoring the situation" and urged residents to take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

A yellow warning for rain has been issued for Friday with one forecaster saying it could be the wettest day so far this autumn.

The Met Office has issued the weather warning for Shropshire for 24 hours from 06:00 GMT on Friday.

It warns that heavy and prolonged rainfall could lead to flooding and disruption, including difficult driving conditions, road closures, delays or cancellations to bus and train services and the potential for communities to be cut off by floodwater.

It said there was a chance homes and businesses could be flooded or experience power cuts and loss of other services

Steve Jackson, from the Bablake weather station in Coventry, said Friday was set to be the wettest day of the autumn so far and that it could be windy too.

"We're talking about driving rain - most unpleasant," he said.

He added that in rural areas the ground was incredibly dry and now soaking up the water.