Flood fear as Big Thaw replaces Big Freeze

The big freeze has given way to the big thaw in Shropshire and Mid Wales with warmer temperatures across the region.

After the sub-zero Christmas period, today brought some long-awaited respite. Forecasters predict daytime temperatures will "universally" be above freezing for the majority of the week, melting compacted snow and treacherous ice that has blighted the UK over the last few days.

But the rising temperatures after freezing conditions were leading to more call-outs for firefighters across the coun- ty to flooding.

Powerpoint Stores in Telford was left with an inch of water throughout the shop floor early today.

Firefighters sent to the shop in Market Street, Oakengates, because of smoke issuing from the building found a pipe had burst causing water to run onto under floor electrics.

Firefighters were called to flats in Shrewsbury after flooding in the roof got too close to electrics.

The water in the roof space of a property in Lancaster Road, had to be isolated by firefighters at 7.44pm yesterday. The flooding affected the first floor and ground floor flat.

Watch manager Tim Hu- ghes said they were receiving more calls to flooding incidents due to the snow melting and pipes bursting.

And the disappearing snow was leading to fresh problems for motorists with the number of potholes on major and minor routes, including the A5 and A49, increasing.

Councils across the country were facing huge repair bills after changing temperatures caused existing holes to expand and new ones to be created. The mercury will hit double figures in parts of the south tomorrow, staying at a similar level during the week.

Although temperatures are expected to dip again slightly at the weekend, they will not compare to the bone-chilling readings endured during the Arctic freeze this month.

Tomorrow in Shropshire the highest temperature is expected to be 2C (36F) and the lowest 1C (34F) and for the rest of the week until Saturday temperatures will hit 4C (39F) and go no lower than 3C (37F).

Forecaster Michael Law- rence, of the Met Office, said: "There will be a lot of low cloud, mist and fog today and it will feel less cold with the strong winds easing.

"There will also be some spells of light rain and drizzle, which will add to the thawing that has already begun. It will be much of the same into Wednesday and Thursday with large amounts of cloud keeping the temperatures across the country universally positive."

By Lisa Rowley