Severe weather warning issued for the South

Havant Borough Council have closed part of the coastal footpath on the western side of the slipway at Harts Farm Way owing to storm damage.

A diversion has been put into place until further notice.

Members of the public are advised NOT to cross the barriers as the ground under the footpath has been washed away.

One of Wiltshire Police's most successful drugs dogs has retired. Griffin the Cocker Spaniel joined the force in March 2009 when he was two years old.

He's been responsible for around five hundred detections over the past few years.

This poster was spotted in Hastings at the weekend warning that a talk on the weather had be cancelled. It goes on to say the event was called off due to the "dreadful weather conditions".

Residents in the Thames Valley affected by flooding are being warned to stay alert, despite a fall in river levels following a day of settled weather on Sunday. Water levels are expected to rise again tomorrow.

With rain water in the system already and further rainfall due this week, all the agencies involved in the flood relief efforts said they would maintain a high presence in the affected areas.

He said people needed to remain prepared and ready to respond, and that all the those involved in tackling the floods would provide updates as necessary.

Hundreds of homes across Kent remain at risk of flooding today - despite the calm weather after several stormy days.

As residents survey the storm damage and the clear-up operation begins, Kent Police warned properties are still under threat because of heavy rain and rising water levels.

These are in Yalding, Collier Street, East Peckham, Kingston, Patrixbourne, Elham, Bridge, Littlebourne, Bishopsbourne, Wickhambreaux, Lydd, Eastry, and from Wye to Ashford areas.

Flooding could also occur in Fordwich, Sturry, Grove Ferry and Ash, Nettlestead, Wateringbury, Thannington, Alkham, Folkestone, Chartham, Romney Marsh, Boughton Monchelsea and Wateringbury.The Army was yesterday drafted in to help with flood protection in Kent, with soldiers distributing sandbags.

The military could have been brought in earlier to help deal with the winter storm, a Cabinet minister has admitted.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that, in future, the Government would involve the military earlier and be more "aggressive" in urging local authorities to use troops.

As the weather finally gave the country a respite, Mr Hammond said Royal Engineers were now being tasked to carry out a high-speed assessment of "serious" to damage the UK's flood defence infrastructure.

Swathes of the UK remain on high alert as people battle to protect their homes and communities from the floodwaters, which are still expected to rise in places despite the break in the storms.

The Environment Agency (EA) has 16 severe flood warnings in place for the South West and the Thames Valley, with almost 150 flood warnings and 230 flood alerts.