The rain eases...but get set for sub-zero temperatures

As flood waters start to recede forecasters warn the recent deluges could be followed by unseasonable frost and sub-zero temperatures.

Although dozens of flood warnings remain in place and some rivers are set to reach their peaks, the worst appears to be over for the time being.

But the rain is expected to return later in the week, along with freezing weather in some areas.

Meteogroup, the weather division of the Press Association, predicts only a brief respite from the downpours.

Rupert Evelyn reports from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire:

Up to 25mm of rainfall was forecast for tomorrow night and into Thursday over southern England and south Wales.

But the downpours are likely to gradually ease on Thursday afternoon, it was predicted.

The weekend is set to be drier but colder, with frost on Saturday night a possibility in rural parts of northern England and Scotland, Mr Mott said.

Temperatures are forecast to plunge as low as -1C in these areas - some eight degrees below the current average night time temperature.