FEARS of possible flooding in Worcester were temporarily subsiding this morning after the Environment Agency said water levels had peaked in the River Severn.

But with more rain forecast for later this evening and over the coming days, officials urgent county residents to remain vigilant.

Flood barriers went up in Worcester and at Upton-upon-Severn last night as city centre water levels reached a worrying 4m and flash flooding struck in areas across the county.

But with this morning's sunshine offering a brief respite from the torrential rain, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "The River Severn is peaking in Worcester this morning at just over 4m - that's the maximum we're going to see.

"We monitor water levels right along the river and they are now going down.

"However, more rain is being predicted so we would ask people to be very vigilant over the next few days and keep a close eye on things. The river levels are falling currently but if we do get a significant amount of rain then they will start to rise again."

The flood defences will remain in place at both Upton-upon-Severn and in Worcester for the time being.