Residents living near the River Witham have been warned to be prepared for flooding after heavy downpours caused water levels to rise.

The Environment Agency has issued an amber flood alert asking people to avoid using low lying footpaths near waterways and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

Areas around Grantham, Long Bennington, Foston, Marston, Barkston, Manthorpe and Sedgebrook have all been identified as under threat of flooding although homes are not believed to be at risk.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "Heavy rainfall means that the River Witham is now rising, which will lead to flooding of low lying land and roads close to the river.

"Our forecasts indicate that flooding to properties isn't likely and therefore flood warnings are not expected to be issued. We are monitoring river levels, and have staff in the field checking for blockages and clearing weedscreens."