DORSET is braced for flooding as more rain is set to hit the county today.

After heavy rain overnight, the Environment Agency has issued a flood warning urging people in affected areas to take action.

According to the warning, flooding is expected at: farms at Sturminster Marshall, Cowgrove, shops in Wimborne, Mill Street in Corfe Mullen, Bridge House Hotel in Ferndown, Brecon Close, Ringwood Road, Throop Road in Bournemouth, Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch.

Lower level flood alerts are in place for the whole of the River Stour. Last night the Met Office issued an amber warning - meaning be prepared - for heavy rain overnight and into this afternoon.

The south west was already under a yellow warning of rain, with parts of Dorset already flooded. The amber warning covers the west of Dorset and most of Devon.

The warning says: "Outbreaks of rain, heavy and possibly thundery, are likely to affect southern England and the southern half of Wales, late on Monday and during Tuesday.

"The public should be aware that, following recent heavy rainfall, further localised flooding is possible, with parts of Devon, Dorset and Somerset looking especially vulnerable. There will also be difficult driving conditions at times."

Forecasters say as much as 5cm of rain could fall in places, but expect the risk of flooding to die off as the day progresses.