The Environment Agency is warning of significant continuing flood risk with further heavy rain expected to fall on areas already affected by the wet weather later this week.

Yesterday saw heightened flood risk mainly in parts of the Midlands - the Agency said river levels will remain especially high on the Rivers Wye and Severn, continuing on the lower River Avon until Saturday.

Together with 128 flood warnings and 164 flood alerts, there are currently six Severe Flood Warnings in place - four along the River Severn at New Street, the Wharfage, Uckinghall and Waterside and two along the River Wye at Hampton Bishop and along the River Lugg at Hampton Bishop.

Further heavy rain is also forecast in the north of England for Wednesday into Thursday and may fall on catchments that have been recently flooded.

Over 900 Environment Agency staff are on the ground operating flood defences and temporary pumps, clearing debris from rivers, inspecting flood defences and supporting affected communities.

Environment Agency operational teams have put up more than 6km of temporary flood barriers across the country, while flood defences have protected nearly 25,000 properties from the impacts of Storm Dennis.

River levels have exceeded existing records across the country following Storm Dennis and ongoing, persistent wet weather. There is now a heightened concern at the River Severn after river levels reached their highest on record in Upton on Severn.

Groundwater levels remain high and in some places are rising again in parts of Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, North Lincolnshire, East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

John Curtin, Executive Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said the Agency was expecting further disruptive weather today and Thursday, bringing a significant flood risk to the West Midlands, and there are flood warnings in place across much of England.

About 1,400 homes and businesses have been affected by the floods in the wake of downpours brought by Storm Dennis - the worst affected areas are south Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, where major incidents have been declared.