Britain is braced for more flooding as heavy downpours are predicted to heap more misery on already rain-drenched areas.

Large swathes of the country are expected to be lashed by spells of further rainfall in the coming days as the ground remains heavily saturated and river levels teeter close to bursting point following a prolonged spell of wet weather.

The Environment Agency has seven flood warnings and 36 flood alerts in place in England and said that more are likely to be issued.

Pulses of heavy rain and showers are expected to hit most parts of the UK throughout Tuesday with some of the worst-hit areas experiencing local rainfall totals of up to 60mm, according to forecasters.

Experts also predict the unsettled weather will last until at least Thursday with the threat of heavier, more prolonged rain.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of rain for the Midlands, while yellow warnings are in place in south west England, north west England and east Scotland.