Further heavy rain is expected in Dorset which could lead to flooding and travel disruption.

The Met Office has released another yellow rain warning for the South West of England which will remain in place until 3am on Friday, January 5.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “A spell of rain is expected to move northeast across southern and eastern parts of England on Thursday, clearing during Thursday night.

“The track of the heaviest rainfall remains a little uncertain, but 10-20 mm is likely to fall within 6 hours across much of the warning area, with some places seeing 30-40 mm; these higher accumulations more likely across central southern England.

“Impacts are more likely due to the current very wet ground across the region. Strong winds may also accompany this heavy rain across southern and particularly southeast England this evening and overnight.”

The Met Office has warned that some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses

They further warn that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings and delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible.

Flood alerts are in place for Weymouth rivers and streams including the River Wey to Radipole Lake, Preston Brook and River Jordan due to the rainfall over the past 24 hours falling on catchments that are already saturated. High groundwater levels continue to add further to river flow.

There are further flood alerts for groundwater flooding in the West of Dorset including Bridport, Chideock, Martinstown, Milborne St. Andrew, Nottington, Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Upwey, Winterborne Abbas, Winterborne Kingston, Winterborne Steepleton, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Whitechurch and Winterborne Zelston.

The Environment Agency encourage people in these areas to ‘ensure that any property level resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers are in good conditions and replace any stocks of sandbags.’

As well as to ‘avoid driving through flood water as the bow wave from vehicles can damage nearby properties.’