WORCESTERSHIRE looks set for another bout of severe flooding in the next 48 hours with the worst conditions expected in the region on Thursday.

The combination of new rain arriving on saturated riverbanks and flood water coming downstream from Wales will mean rising river levels for another couple of days on the Severn and the Avon.

However, they will fall short of the peaks of last week, which saw the worst floods in Worcestershire for 50 years.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said the Severn at Bewdley was set to peak at 4.9m to 5.2m above its normal level on Thursday, with the worst scenario still some 36 centimetres short of last Thursday's peak of 5.56m.

At Diglis the peak was expected to be around 4.9 to 5.1m on Thursday - last week's high water mark was 5.14m.

Hereford and Worcester fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie said the service has now dealt with more than 200 rescue incidents in the past eight days.

"Overnight we were fairly quiet, but yesterday we dealt with incidents at the Coppertops pub, in Oldbury Road, which had flooding, and a cellar flooded in Pinkett Street, Northwick."

Firefighters also attended a car flooded on the A4103 at Bransford but found the driver had made his way to safety.

Police have asked that motorists do not make unnecessary journeys, and should listen to local radio stations for updates. They are also asked to heed diversions and be patient.

"There is going to be quite heavy rain during the rest of the week," said Evening News weatherman Paul Damari. "There will be quite heavy cloudbursts giving up to another 25mm of rain in the next day or two."

He said Friday should see a drier period, but there would be more rain at the weekend.

First Midland Red intends to continue being stationed at the CrownGate bus station, but if flood levels become too high it will relocate to The Cornmarket.

Its spokesman, Austin Birks, said a shuttle service from Dines Green, Henwick Park, Lower Wick and Rushwick would continue to operate during the floods.