EMERGENCY procedures are being put in place in Upton-upon-Severn this evening as the river is expected to flood up to 21 properties.

Malvern Hills District Council is due to open a rest centre at the Hill Community Centre in Milestone Road at 6pm to cater for any evacuated residents needing shelter for the night.

Kevin Douglas, strategic director at the council, said: "We've got a contingency plan in place.

"We opened a similar centre in Powick after the flooding of the river Teme forced over 30 people out of their homes in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The difference is we didn't predict the Teme was going to flood in the way that it did so the centre was opened very quickly and without prior warning.

"This time, we are expecting around 21 properties to flood in Upton so we are well prepared for the worst.

"We have already had donations including fresh bread, so there will be food and drinks at the rest centre, as well as shelter and advice on what to do next."

Mr Douglas added that the river in Upton was already up 5.3 metres above the datum mark, and that it was expected to peak at around midnight.

"The bridge will probably be closed and New Street likely to be affected," he added.