North-west England on flood alert

A severe weather warning was issued for much of North-west England last night, with a high risk of flooding today.

The Met Office said 50 to 60mm (2 to 2.4 inches) of rain was likely across Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire, with up to 100mm in some parts. The deluge could lead to surface water flooding of roads and land, with a chance of rivers in built-up areas bursting their banks, the Environment Agency said. It urged people in Manchester, Liverpool, the Wirral, Cheshire and Lancashire to prepare for flooding from this afternoon into tomorrow. Heavy rainfall was also forecast for central and north Wales.