Flood warnings in parts of Lancashire after heavy rain

Flood warnings are in place for parts of Lancashire after heavy rain throughout the weekend.

We are being warned that water levels on the River Darwen, in Higher Walton. In an alert posted online, the environment agency warned of potential flooding on Higher Walton Road , close to Cann Bridge in Darwen Street and Higher Walton Mills.

We are also being warned of potential flood risks in Parbold, with a warning in place for the River Douglas. In an alert, the environment urgency said: "Areas most at risk include low lying properties on the right bank of the Douglas, downstream of the Canal Bridge including Burnside, Bankside, Northdene, Southdene, Westdene, Broadmede and Greenfield.

"Flooding is affecting low lying properties on the right bank of the Douglas, downstream of the Canal Bridge including Burnside, Bankside, Northdene, Southdene, Westdene, Broadmede and Greenfield"

A number of lower flood alerts are in place for other parts of the region, including for the River Douglas in Wigan and the Rivers Ribble and Darwin in Blackburn and Preston.

Marco Petagna, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Certainly localised flooding is quite possible. The rain warning we have out now until midnight certainly suggests the potential for standing water on the roads, so journey times could be impacted, and there could be some disruption for local bus and train services."

He added more wet and windy weather was due to arrive from the west in the middle of next week, with the outlook "staying unsettled" and thunderstorms and further flood risk possible.

The forecaster said the UK was on track to have its dullest July on record, with noticeably fewer amounts of sunshine than average over the month.

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