Yellow warning of rain and wind issued for Thursday in the East

People have been advised to take extra care, especially near seafronts

Strong winds and heavy rain could cause floods and disruption in the East of England on Thursday, forecasters have warned.

A yellow weather warning for gusts of up to 80mph (112km/h) came into force for parts of the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coast from 08:00 GMT.

A yellow alert for rain, covering the entire region, became active at 05:00.

The Met Office said there was a "small chance of injuries and danger to life" from large waves and flying debris.

The Environment Agency warned of flooding in some areas.

The warning for rain is due to last until 17:00 on Thursday, 22 February, while the one for wind is expected to expire an hour later.

People have been advised to remain vigilant when on coastal roads and seafronts, with further concerns raised about "difficult driving conditions".

The Met Office said: "There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads."

A yellow warning is the lowest of three possible levels of alert and means the weather is "likely to cause low-level disruption".

The Environment Agency issued flood warnings for:

• The River Nar at Narborough, Marham, Wormegay and Saddle Bow in Norfolk

• Low lying areas close to the River Great Ouse at Bedford

• Low lying areas close to the River Great Ouse at Kempston, Bedfordshire

A flood warning means flooding is expected and "immediate action" is required.

The agency also issued flood alerts for:

• The River Rhee in Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire

• The Upper River Great Ouse in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

• The Hundred Foot Washes in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk

• The Little Ouse River and River Thet in Suffolk and Norfolk

A flood alert means flooding is possible and people should be prepared.

Agency officials said river levels remained high in some areas and would be "responsive to further rainfall."

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