FLOOD warnings have been issued across England after days of heavy rainfall – with Horwich residents urged to prepare for an overflowing river.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Upper River Douglas, after a large amount of rain left the river levels running high.

More heavy showers are expected today, with officials expecting the river levels to remain high into tomorrow morning.

A spokesman for the agency said: "We are continuing to monitor the situation with incident response staff actively checking river levels and the weather forecast."

The alert is in effect across Wigan, stretching out to Burscough, near Ormskirk, and into Blackrod and Horwich.

An update will be issued tomorrow morning, or if the situation changes.

Officials believe that flooding in the area is possible, and have urged residents in the effected areas to prepare for the river bursting its banks.

Eight flood warnings have been issued across the UK, including one for Whinney Brook and Dovers Brook near Sefton.

For these areas, flooding is expected, and authorities must take immediate action.

Another 36 flood alerts are currently in force, with southern and central England expected to see the worst of the weather.

Visit flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings for updates.