Britain bracing for floods

3:14am Sunday 5th October 2008

Large parts of Britain are braced for possible flooding ahead of a predicted downpour.

Forecasters said "exceptionally heavy rain" is expected to fall in the Midlands, East Anglia and Wales. Gale force winds are also set to lash coastal areas.

Byron Chalcraft, a Met Office forecaster, said: "Exceptionally heavy rain is expected, with 50 to 80mm (3in) in places and perhaps in excess of 100mm (4in) locally. The heavy rain could lead to flooding in some areas and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks."

Mr Chalcraft said the rain, expected to fall throughout Sunday morning, could have had far more serious consequences had it arrived earlier.

"We've had a good dry period recently," he said. "Had this occurred a couple of weeks ago - before we had the dry period and when river levels were higher - it could have been a lot worse."

The Environment Agency has placed 16 rivers under flood watch - 14 in the north west, one in the Midlands and one in Wales.

Forecasters said the week ahead was likely to offer more unsettled spells and showers, although temperatures were likely to be above average.