Nine Flood Warnings issued in Wales as heavy rain falls across the UK

Nine further flood warnings were issued by Natural Resources Wales.

Eight of these are in the south, with one alert active here North Wales.

The warning covers isolated properties and extensive areas of agricultural land in the Lower Dee flood plain

The last update said: "River levels at Manley Hall are falling and are expected to do so for the next few days depending on any further rainfall today.

"River levels at Farndon continue to fall, although slowly, and are expected to continue to fall over the next few days, again depending on any further rainfall.

"River levels are above normal but flooding of property is not expected at the moment.

"Flood defences are now in operation and the situation on site is being constantly monitored.

"There is a significant risk of localised flooding problems from surface water."

In addition, there are nine less severe Flood Alerts in place in Wales, including one in the Upper Severn area of Powys.

The latest update reads: "At 8.45am, the level at Caersws was 1.6 metres and falling. The level at Abermule was 1.9 metres and falling. The level at Munlyn was 2.6 metres and falling. The level at Buttington was 4.7 metres and steady. The level at Llandrinio was 6.1 metres and rising. A peak level of between 6.1 and 6.2 metres is expected to occur this morning. The following roads could be affected by flooding; B4 3 9 3 near Llandrinio Bridge. Many low lying minor roads are affected in the area."

Meanwhile, a yellow Met Office weather warning for rain stretched from East Anglia, across Leicester, parts of Birmingham and north London, and through to mid-Wales and Cornwall, and remained in place until 2am on Thursday.

The BBC reported the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received 500 calls for help on Wednesday as the downpours hit many parts of the country.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said they had handled more than 250 flood calls, with several properties inundated and multiple people rescued from their stranded vehicles.

The Environment Agency (EA) had issued more than 90 flood warnings for England as of 5am on Thursday, including 16 warnings related to the River Severn on the Welsh border.

Other areas covered by flood warnings included part of the Great River Ouse and the Chediston watercourse in Suffolk.

The Environment Agency also issued a further 149 flood alerts, which warn of possible flooding and urge preparedness.

Nottinghamshire Police said emergency services had been called to a report of a landslide near some homes near a former quarry at 11.40pm on Wednesday.

The force said a “small number” of properties have been evacuated, and police, fire and ambulance services, along with Mansfield District Council officials, were sent at the scene at Bank End Close in Mansfield to conduct safety assessments.

According to a Natural Resources Wales gauge, 60.4 mm of rain fell within 13 hours at the Trevethin reservoir in southern Wales on Wednesday.

44.6 mm of rain was also detected in Corby, Northamptonshire, in the same period according to Environment Agency figures.

The heavy rain caused disruption to travel, with many areas including Cardiff reporting surface water on the roads.

Alex Burkill, a meteorologist for the Met Office told the PA news agency: “There’s been a lot of wet weather around, we’ve had a heavy rain across much of England and Wales, particularly southern parts of Wales but also further east.

“Most places in England and Wales have been really wet and we’ve seen strengthening winds too, there have been some gales in exposed parts, so quite unpleasant really.”

Mr Burkill later said the rainfall would cease overnight into Christmas Eve.

He said: “The wet weather we’ve got over us at the moment that’s all going to clear away towards the south-east as we go through the night so for Christmas Eve we’re going to have lots of fine weather around, with lots of sunshine and a cold northerly flow.”