FLOOD alerts have been issued for rivers surrounding Swindon after Storm Bella battered the country last night.

Properties are generally not thought to be at risk, the Environment Agency has said.

Here is a list of the flood alerts currently in force.

River Cole and Dorcan Brook (east Swindon and Highworth)

The Environment Agency said flooding is possible and warned people to be prepared.

The agency said: “Property flooding is not currently expected. River levels have risen on the River Cole and Dorcan Brook as a result of heavy rain overnight.

“Therefore, flooding of low lying roads and footpaths is expected this morning, especially in areas of Swindon close to the river. Scattered showers are forecast over the next 24 hours.

“We expect river levels to peak this morning and then start to fall later today. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

Read more on the Environment Agency website

River Thames and its small tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade (including Cricklade)

Again, flooding is possible and people were warned to be prepared. However, it’s not expected that properties will flood.

In an update posted shortly after 10pm on Boxing Day, the Environment Agency said river levels on the Thames and its small tributaries were high but steady.

“Flooding of low lying roads, paths and farmland is expected to continue over the coming days, especially between Kempsford and Lechlade,” the agency said.

“A band of further rain is forecast overnight [on Boxing Day into December 27].

“We expect river levels to continue to slowly fall, but levels may respond to further forecast rain over the next few days. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

Read more on the Environment Agency website

River Churn and its tributaries (between Cricklade and Cirencester)

Flooding is possible, but it is expected to affect farmland and low lying roads – not homes.

The Environment Agency said: “We expect river levels to slowly fall, but levels may respond to further forecast rain over the next few days. We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are in the area clearing trash screens.”

The A419 is flooded and impassable at Cirencester between the A417 and A429. Spitalgate Lane, also in Cirencester, is closed in both directions due to flooding.

Read more on the Environment Agency website

Upper Bristol Avon Area (including farmland near Royal Wootton Bassett)

River levels at the Fosseway gauge  are currently steady but are expected to rise today. The area at most risk is the road at Reybridge, near Lacock. The Environment Agency said properties could flood on Sunday morning.  “Our incident response staff have cleared debris from weed screens.”

Read more on the Environment Agency website