Wet weekend for rain-soaked UK

The AA says this week has been one of its busiest for flood-related call-outs and is warning drivers to take extra precautions.

The Environment Agency has issued its latest flood warnings for the UK and Wales.

• 51 flood warnings have been issued, which means flooding is expected and immediate action is required. Areas in the Midlands, Anglia, South West, South East and North West are currently affected.

• 161 flood alerts have been issued and flooding is possible across most areas of the UK and Wales.

• There are currently no severe flood warnings, but further flooding is expected this weekend.

There will be more heavy rain and wind this weekend with the possibility of further flooding.

A deepening low pressure system will be sweeping across most of Britain this weekend bringing the potential for further disruption.

It will become extremely windy and wet, with up to two inches of rain falling on saturated ground - posing a further flood risk.

Tomorrow, most of southern England and Wales will become increasingly windy with gales and gusts of 60-70 mph possible along the coasts. Heavy, steady rain will be seeping in from the South.

Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland will be drier and brighter once early fog patches clear. Any scattered, blustery showers will be confined to north-west Scotland.

The windy, wet weather across the South will head into north-eastern Britain on Sunday.

With further flooding expected across Britain this weekend, The Environment Agency has issued a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for flooding.

Here are some of the key points which can help you reduce the impact of flooding:

• Prepare a flood kit with important documents such as passports and insurance certificates, blankets and warm clothing, first aid kit, radio, tinned food and bottled water.
• Make a flood plan which will help you decide what practical actions there are to take before and during a flood.

• Meet with members of the local community, communicate with neighbours and help to ensure everyone can access up-to-date flooding information.
• Prepare your property for flooding and reduce water from short, shallow flooding through the use of sandbags.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has warned people of the dangers of flooding and urged further caution this weekend with more flooding expected.

With further flooding expected across Britain this weekend, the Environment Agency has issued its latest flood warnings and alerts.

The AA has said there has been no sign of a reduction in the number of flood-related call-outs, and urged members of the public to think twice before taking on saturated roads.

North Wales Fire and Rescue has said it has received more than 250 calls related to flooding_ _and appealed for people to call only "if you believe lives are at risk and not just to properties being flooded when the householders are able to move upstairs or seek shelter with neighbours".

The weather and the devastation it has caused to homes, businesses and land has stoked up the famous spirit of British stoicism, as neighbours and friends rallied round to help those most in need.

I understand that the family has been informed and the man is thought to be in his 70s. The family is being looked after by a family liaison officer from the police.

It's not the first time that this particular stream has flooded. The people in this village say that it has happened two or three times in recent years.

It is extremely dangerous. Other cars have got trapped here but very sadly last night an elderly man lost his life.