A FLOOD alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for the Weaver catchment - including Northwich.

The Environment Agency has deployed phase one of the Northwich Flood Scheme erecting defences at Baron's Quay and Northwich Marina due to a flood alert on the River Weaver.

The Environment Agency is protecting people and properties from potentially high river levels.

People are being warned to 'be prepared'.

River levels are forecast to rise at the Hayhurst Bridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is expected from.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around the Rivers Weaver, Ducklow and Wheelock and their tributaries.

"Further rainfall is forecast overnight, which could cause levels to reach flood alert again tomorrow.

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"We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff have deployed temporary flood barriers at Northwich Marina this afternoon, Sunday, and are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation."