UK weather: Three 30-mile flood alerts issued as Brits are warned to act on plans with heavy downpours on the way

THREE 30-mile flood alerts have been issued by officials with Brits warned to act on their emergency plans.

Heavy downpours are set to soak parts of the country today, with the Environment Agency putting urgent alerts in place.

People living in Cumbria, Tyne and Wear, and Somerset have now been warned to keep an eye on water levels and weather conditions.

The Environment Agency has also told the residents to start acting on their flood plans if they have one in place.

It comes after people living along the coast in Cumbria, between Silloth in the north and Saint Bees in the south, were last night warned to prepare for flooding from the Irish Sea.

Now each of the areas that have 30-mile flood alerts in place have been urged to take care.

The Environment Agency's website reads: "Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low-lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding.

"Start acting on your flood plan if you have one."

In Somerset the alert is in place for the coastline between Gore Point and Hurlstone Point including Porlock Weir; and between Silloth and St Beers the area includes Allonby, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Parton and Whitehaven.

And in Tyne and Wear the area from St Mary's Lighthouse to Crimdon Park, North Hartlepool has an alert in place.

The Met Office said the weather will tomorrow be largely fine in Scotland and northeastern England.

Looking forward, it added added: "Elsewhere cloud and rain will slowly spread east and north throughout the day, turning heavy in places. Feeling humid.

"Remaining largely dry across Scotland on Friday with heavy rain or showers elsewhere.

"Turning largely dry and fine more widely over the weekend with increasing amounts of sunshine."

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan yesterday said:  "There was a lot of rain there over the weekend and that could partly be why the ground is saturated."