BOLTON residents may be getting a text message from the Environment Agency this week to let them know they have been automatically registered for free flood warnings.

People on the O2 network who live in areas at high risk of flooding across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Cheshire will receive an automated text message informing them that they have been signed up, with a link to let them know what they should do if they receive a flood warning, and the option to opt out.

Once registered, people will receive a message directly to their mobile if a flood warning is issued for their area in the future — giving them vital time to prepare.

Throughout December the Environment Agency will be registering around 375,000 people across England on the O2 mobile network to its flood warning service.

Customers who are not on the O2 network can still receive free flood warnings by signing up at floodsdestroy.campaign.gov.uk