RESIDENTS in parts of Christchurch, Bournemouth and East Dorset have been warned about potential flooding as the wet weather looks set to continue.

The Environment Agency said a flood warning remains in place for areas surrounding the Lower Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch and Sturminster Newton to Wimborne.

The locations included in the warning are listed as Throop Road in Bournemouth, Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch, farms at Sturminster Marshall, Cowgrove, shops in Wimborne, Mill Street in Corfe Mullen, Bridge House Hotel in Ferndown, Brecon Close and Ringwood Road.

The Environment Agency’s flood warning means they are expecting flooding and asking people to take immediate action.

Rain is expected to continue for the next few days and the Environment Agency has previously warned that the drought gripping parts of England, including Dorset and Hampshire, could increase the risk of flash flooding.

This is due to rain being less easily absorbed by dry, compacted soils, instead running off and causing localised floods.

The rain is having an impact on depleted river and groundwater levels, although 13 of the sites the Environment Agency uses to measure groundwater remain "exceptionally low". Get the latest water report.

And as a result of the extreme weather conditions, all fast ferry with Condor Ferries have been cancelled today.