The Environment Agency have issued two flood alerts across Wiltshire this week as the wet post-Christmas weather continues.

One of the alerts covers the mid Bristol Avon area, which includes Bradford on Avon and Melksham.

The Environment Agency have warned there is a risk of flooding due to high river levels at the Bradford on Avon river gauge, with heavy rain expected to continue throughout Wednesday, December 28, particularly in the evening.

This is expected to affect low lying lands and roads between Melksham and Bathford and the flood gates at Holt Road may be closed as a result.

People have also been urged not to use low lying footpaths near waterways and to avoid roads which may be flooded.

The Environment Agency said: “River levels are rising at the Bradford on Avon river gauge due to recent rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. Expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads between Melksham and Bathford. The flood gates at Holt Road may be closed.

“Further rainfall, sometimes heavy, is expected from Wednesday, December 28.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are clearing weed screens. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers which may be flooded. Refer to local authority websites for local road closures.”

The same advice was issued for the Upper Bristol Avon area which extends from Melksham up to Royal Wootton Bassett and Tetbury, covering Chippenham and Calne.

While river levels at the Great Somerford river gauge fell on Tuesday, they remain high and have been rising further throughout the day. Levels are expected to continue rising for much of Wednesday as rain continues to fall across Wiltshire.

Flooding is expected to affect the road at Reybridge and the Environment Agency say they are monitoring the situation closely. They have also sent incident response staff to clear weed screens.

A statement read: “River levels are rising at the Great Somerford river gauge due to recent rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. We expect flooding to affect the road at Reybridge.

“Further rainfall, sometimes heavy, is expected from Wednesday, December 28. River levels are expected to rise again in response to this rainfall.”

The heavy rain has also caused problems for pedestrians in town centres, with pavements and footpaths flooding.