FLOOD alerts remain in force across Worcestershire as heavy rain is once again threatened for later today.

After a mainly sunny day today, the rains are due to return, and motorists are being urged to continue taking care.

Localised flooding is still present in some places and a number of flood alerts are still in place, which could affect normal driving routes.

The agency said that flood warnings were still in place on the Severn at Callow End, Court Meadow and Kempsey, and the Avon at Wyre Piddle, the Strensham and Bredon area, and Evesham.

However, the levels on both the Severn at Worcester and the Avon at Evesham are predicted to peak at about two metres below the levels reached in the 2007 floods.

Among bridges still closed are Eckington Bridge, Besford Bridge, Jubilee Bridge at Fladbury and Pershore Bridge.

Roads still closed include Waterside, Evesham, Willersey Road, Badsey, and New Street, Upton, where flood gates are in place, Fish and Anchor Bank, at Offenham, Woodbury Lane, Norton, the C2032/Plough Road to Tibberton. the B4078 between Eckington and Bredon, Brook Lane, Cropthorne, and Hinton village, where the only access is Haselor Lane.

Flood barriers are due to go up alongside the Severn at Bewdley later this morning.

Bus services are also being disrupted, with some routes suffering delays and diversions.

Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership said: “Localised flooding still exists in places and the current forecast for the weekend is predicting more of the same. The storms that have taken place recently highlight just how quickly roads can become flooded and very dangerous, so our advice is to stay alert to local weather and news reports and if your area is experiencing flooding it’s advisable to leave any non-essential travel until any flooding has subsided.”

Tonight the Met Office was forecasting a bright, frosty start to today with fog slow to clear in places.

Later the weather is due to turning cloudy, with rain, heavy at times, and strong winds arriving after midday, giving a risk of further disruption. Maximum temperature is estimated at 7C.

Looking further ahead, from Sunday to Thursday, further spells of heavy rain and strong wind are expected, with a risk of gales again, particularly during Sunday.

Severn Trent is urging customers in the Broadway area to boil water after reports of discoloured water with a strange taste and smell.

Worcestershire County Council sent its fleet of 31 gritters out last night to treat its designated routes, more than 800 miles of highway, after sub-zero temperatures were forecast.