Heavy rain causes flooding in the south of the UK and major flooding in Nottinghamshire

A Met Office yellow warning for rain covering the south of England came into force at midday and will last until 03:00 GMT on Friday. The warning, stretching from Cornwall to East Anglia, says there could be power cuts and travel disruption.

A major incident has been declared in Nottinghamshire due to flooding. It comes just days after parts of Wales and England were hit by Storm Henk.

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident due to flooding and risk of further flooding.

The decision was taken by authorities due to rising river levels along the River Trent, which is expected to peak this evening. The council has warned levels could come close to the highest on record in the year 2000.

It is advising residents living in flood risk areas to ensure they have preparations in place in case they are asked to evacuate. Laurie Walker, chair of a residents association for Nottingham estate for over-55s hit by flooding, said it was “like a river outside their front doors”.

Nottinghamshire County Council has confirmed 50-60 properties have been flooded in the county, with the village of Gunthorpe worst affected.

There has also been flooding in Worcester, Bedford, Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Sussex.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for all parts of England, which will come into effect on Saturday and last until next Tuesday.

It said that after a “period of mild and unsettled weather”, higher pressure coming into the weekend would mean colder temperatures.