Residents in Bishops Castle and Knighton have been put on flood alert as heavy rain lashed the region this week.

The Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the Upper Teme area today, warning that low lying roads and farmland were likely to be affected by the downpour as rivers and tributaries swelled.

The agency issued a flood warning, which is expected to be in force until Thursday lunchtime, and said it would be out checking flood defences during today.

"River levels are forecast to rise at the Onibury river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall yesterday and further forecasted heavy rainfall today," it said.

"Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible from Tuesday evening until Thursday.

"We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads adjacent the River Teme, River Onny and River Corve and their tributaries.

"Locations that may be affected include Bishops Castle, Church Stretton, Knighton and Ludlow. Further bands of heavy rainfall is forecasted over the next few days. We expect river levels to remain high until Thursday 13 June 2019. We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Our incident response staff are clearing weed screens and checking defences. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and see the GOV.UK website for a 5 day flood forecast. "

According to the Met Office, heavy rain is expected across the region in the evening and early hours of tomorrow morning, March 12, with further rain expected for the rest of the week and heavy downpours forecast for Thursday, June 13.

"Thursday is expected to have heavy or thundery downpours," said the outlook.

"Low pressure will begin to move away later in the day, allowing for some drier spells overnight and into Friday, but further showers are likely later in the day. Turning wetter again on Saturday as low pressure starts to dominate again."

Chief Meteorologist for the Met Office Paul Gundersen said: “After a day of significant rainfall yesterday, England and Wales will continue to see continued rain as the front moves further north with heavy and potentially thundery showers developing in the south through the afternoon.

"The development of weather conditions leading to thunderstorms and intense rainfall can happen extremely quickly, creating a challenge for forecasters.

"We have been able to indicate the likelihood of further spells of heavy rainfall for the rest of the week, but the exact details will remain uncertain until nearer the events.

"Severe weather warnings are in place and there is still the possiblity of surface water flooding and disruption. We will update warnings accordingly, but we urge people to continue to check the forecast and the app for updates during this period."