IMMEDIATE action is required in anticipation of extensive flooding in Poole and the Purbecks following severe overnight rainfall across Dorset.

Eight flood alerts and one flood warning has been issued by the government this morning in the Dorset area, after severe rainfall battered the south coast overnight.

Flooding is to be expected from Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham, with river levels high and continuing to rise at the Stinsford river gauge.

An alert on the government website says: “High groundwater levels are adding to the river levels and we expect flooding to continue to affect areas in Dorchester, West Stafford, Bockhampton, Lewell, Tincleton, Pallington, Waddock, Moreton, Wool and East Stoke.

“Further showers are forecast over the next few days. River levels can rise very quickly in response to rainfall and we are closely monitoring the situation.

“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and see the GOV.UK website for a five-day flood forecast.”

Flood alerts have also been issued along rivers and streams in Christchurch, Ringwood, Sturminster Newton, Wool, Swanage, Corfe Castle and the Purbecks.

Residents in these areas have been advised to avoid using low lying footpaths near watercourses, plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers which may be flooded and refer to local authority website for local road closures.