FLOOD alerts have been placed on the Severn Valley as the county braces itself for a week of heavy wind and rain.

But Environment Agency experts do not believe the river will rise enough to prompt the erection of Worcester's Hylton Road flood barrier.

They have categorised the threat as 'Flood Warning' - the second highest given by the agency - which means flooding is expected to affect homes, businesses and main roads.

David Denning, the city council's senior engineer for highways, said the river level was holding at 11ft 8ins (3.6m) today on the stretches from Upper Arley to Bevere, north of Worcester, and south as far as Tewkesbury.

"At the moment, the EA are not advising erection of the barrier. They will not make that decision unless they predict the river to reach 4.2m (13ft 7ins).

He said the agency had told him that the river should peak at between 3.6m and 4m (13ft 1ins) later this week, but "that might change if weather conditions change".

Evening News weatherman Paul Damari said two inches of rain fell in Worcester over the weekend, saturating the ground, with another inch or two expected across the area from the middle of the week.

Winds up to 70mph are also expected, bringing the threat of structural damage to buildings.

"It doesn't look very good at all," said Mr Damari.

Last month, engineers installed a sump - a small concrete chamber two metres deep and half a metre in diameter - in Hylton Road.

In the event of a flood, engineers will attach a hose to a mobile pump in the sump to clear groundwater.

The Environment Agency has two threat categories in addition to Flood Warning.

Flood Watch means that flooding is possible and communities should be prepared to act.

Severe Flood Warning means an imminent danger to life and property.

Call the Environment Agency's Floodline, on 0845 9881188, for the latest information.