THE Met Office has issued another heavy rain warning covering Dorset as “shocking” flooding persists on the River Stour.

There are forecasts of 20mm to 40mm of rain falling in localised areas in the South West from 2am on Wednesday until midday on Thursday.

The Met Office said: “The public are advised to be aware of the risk of some disruption from surface water flooding.”

Cllr Ron Whittaker went to Stour Acres Car Park off Granby Road told the Echo today: “I think this is the worst flooding I have seen in 41 years as a councillor.

“The water is all over Parley Court, it’s probably 10ft deep in places. The flooding has increased substantially over the last few days. It’s shocking to see.”

Resident Dorothy Casey, 81, from Muscliff, said: “It is pretty bad, the whole place is flooded all the way round as far as you can see, you need a boat to get around.

“I have lived here for 25 years and I have seen it a bit worse - but not by much.”

Jenny Kelly, 64, from Muscliff, said: “I have life here my whole life and I think it’s the worst I have ever seen.

“All the bench seats on the edge of the river look like they are floating because they are partly under water. It’s very strange considering we have a water shortage!”

The Environment Agency has Flood Alerts in place on Rover Stour Tributaries between Sturminster Newton and Christchurch.

And there are Flood Warnings, the second highest level, in place at Redhill and Wheatplot Home Sites in Bournemouth, and 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.