Flooding at Whitesands in Dumfries

Special reports: Flooding

Three years after some of the worst flooding the region has ever seen, ITV Border explores the causes and what the future could hold

Live updates

SNP dismiss finance fears as "scaremongering"

The Scottish National Party have responded to claims by the No campaign that savers and pensioners would be at risk in an independent Scotland.

Paul Wheelhouse MSP says the findings in the UK treasury report do not recognise studies undertaken by economists, that suggest an independent Scotland could cope financially.

Mr Wheelhouse said:

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Man in "serious condition" after crash on A6

A man from Wigton is in a serious condition after a two vehicle collision on the A6 between Penrith and the Stoneybeck roundabout.

The 55-year-old was driving a Citroen Berlingo when the accident happened at around 2.20pm.

He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

A 42-year-old woman from Carlisle, who was driving the Kia Sedona involved in the accident, has been taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, along with her 49-year-old male passenger.

The A6 remains closed from the Stoneybeck roundabout.

Full report: Families call on council for help after floods

Communities in Cumbria affected by flash flooding at the weekend are today calling on the county council to put in place a strategy to deal with the problem.

Firefighters were called out to 50 separate incidents on Saturday as homes and businesses were flooded and roads turned to rivers.

Samantha Parker reports on the ongoing clean up:

Dumfries canine centre reaches rehoming milestone

The Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre has reached another milestone, just a couple of months after celebrating its tenth birthday.

The charity re-homes dogs, and they've just passed the 3,000 mark.

Bob the black lurcher is a former stray who had spent more than four months in the Rescue Centre.

Being neither a puppy, a famous breed or a popular colour meant that for some time Bob was typical of the type of animal that gets stuck in kennels and is difficult to re-home.

Andy Burn reports:

Scots finance fears

Savers and pensioners would be more at risk in an independent Scotland according to a new report by the UK Treasury.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says independence would make Scotland more vulnerable to a banking crisis and that it would be hard for Scotland to maintain a separate pension protection scheme.

The Scottish Government has dismissed his claims as 'flimsy' and will set out their own economic paper tomorrow.

Mr Moore said:

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Weather warning for Scottish Borders

People in the Scottish Borders are being warned to prepare for thunderstorms and heavy downpours from 2pm today, with a risk of flash flooding.

The Met Office has issued an Amber (be prepared) warning, and forecast that between 20mm and 30mm of rain may fall in just one hour.

The area could also see half of the usual monthly rainfall falling in just 2-3 hours.

There is also a Yellow (be aware) warning for the whole of the region until 11pm.

Travel disruption should be expected, due to difficult driving conditions caused by surface water.

"The public should be prepared for the risk of localised flash flooding, particularly where these thunderstorms occur in urbanised areas.

"Motorists could also face problems due to the intensity of the rain and the risk of surface water on the roads.

"We would encourage them to think carefully about whether they need to travel when the weather is at its worst from mid afternoon, into the evening.

"We have already put plans in place to help the area cope and our services are ready for these Amber and Yellow weather warning periods.

"Staff will be checking grills on river culverts across the region to make sure there are no blockages, which would lead to a greater flood risk.

"We are also contacting areas with Resilient Communities plans in place to activate these where appropriate to help minimise the risk of the storms and heavy rain."

– Rob Dickson, Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Scottish Borders Council

To keep up-to-date with the latest weather warnings visit the Met Office website here.

For flooding advice and information for the Scottish Borders click here.

Soldiers welcomed home

Troops marching Credit: ITV News Border

Whitehaven is welcoming home 120 soldiers who have recently returned from Afghanistan.

They are members of the Duke of Lancaster's regiment, which recruits heavily from Cumbria.

Around a dozen of the soldiers are from the Whitehaven and west Cumbria area.

More than a thousand schoolchildren are lining the route around the town waving union flags.

Troops on parade Credit: ITV News Border
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