Parts of Shropshire and Mid Wales were under water today as the region was battered by heavy rain and high winds.

Some stretches of the River Severn were on flood watch resulting in flooding of low-lying land. And with more rain forecast later this week, river levels are expected to continue rising.

Five areas of the Midlands were on flood watch this morning including two in Shropshire – the River Severn between Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury and the Severn Vyrnwy confluence in Wales.

More than 40 flood alerts were in place across the rest of the country.

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However, despite the river in Shrewsbury town centre rapidly rising, with water already creeping up the town’s Quantum Leap statue, the Environment Agency has not yet deployed the flood defences in Frankwell.

A spokeswoman for the EA said: “No barriers have gone up yet but we are closely monitoring the weather for later on in the week.”

In Telford, drivers were forced down to one lane as flood water hit the A5223 between the “Peanut” Island and Ketley Brook island.

Roads in the Melverley and Maesbrook area near Oswestry were flooded and impassable for traffic over the weekend but most of the problems had cleared today.

Bryan Edwards, chairman of Melverley Parish Church, said: “The road near the Black Horse pub at Maesbrook was flooded on Saturday and yesterday.

“It was too deep for cars to get through and it can be fairly fast flowing so you’ve got to be careful.

“It’s pretty much cleared now and hopefully that will be the last of it.”

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said: “There will be scattered blustery showers today and tomorrow, and by Wednesday and Thursday winds will be near gale force.

“There will be a lot of rain in Wales, which could affect the Severn, but other than that I wouldn’t expect buckets of rain to fall in Shropshire.”

Saturday saw winds of 70mph in parts of Britain, with gusts reaching a top speed of 100mph in outlying areas.