WITH flood warnings in place on rivers and more rain forecast, Worcestershire is facing a soggy Christmas.

The Environment Agency is warning of more rain later today and tomorrow which will probably lead to further alerts over the weekend and the Christmas holiday.

Up to 40mm of rain fell in the Midlands over Wednesday and Thursday, and yesterday the En-vironment Agency warned that Hood Street and Quay Street in Worcester were in danger of flooding.

Water rose rapidly yesterday in the Pitchcroft car park next to the racecourse, submerging several cars. Police alerted by staff at the Swan Theatre took down the registration numbers of cars in danger and tried to locate the owners. Some managed to get their vehicles clear in time, but other cars were caught by the rising waters.

In Kempsey, where some 20 houses were flooded out last month, Environment Agency staff were on hand to make sure flood defence pumps were working.

Flooding in the village on Sunday, November 25 was caused when a pump, installed earlier in the year, failed during the small hours.

Catherine Ellis of the Environment Agency said: “We have specialist contractors available to turn the Kempsey pumps on and off over the weekend and Christmas period whenever they are needed. The pumps are currently in operation and are working well.

“We expect further rain over the weekend, starting on Saturday and continuing through into Sunday. We also expect some rain on monday. with the rain falling on already saturated ground and with high river levels, we expect further flood alerts and some flood warnings over the weekend and into the Christmas period.

“We are aware the rain has already led to some surface water flooding and some disruption. With rising river levels, we continue to warn and inform local communities and work together with partners and ask residents to remain prepared and vigilant, in the coming days.”

Flood warnings are in place on the Severn at Diglis, Callow End, Court Meadow at Kempsey, Severn Stoke and Upton. The waters are predicted to peak this afternoon at some 4.5m above normal in Worcester, and up to 5.2m further downriver.

The Teme has already peaked, with minor roads in the Bransford area flooded, and on the Avon, levels are expected to remain high, with warnings at Twyning, Wyre Piddle, Strensham and Bredon.