HOMEOWNERS in Tewkesbury are bracing themselves for more flooding.

Residents have been put on high alert as rising floodwater threatens their homes.

More heavy rain is expected to lash the county today, bringing more misery to homeowners.

The Environment Agency said a number of houses could be flooded and warned people to be prepared.

Properties most at risk were at Mill Avon, Abbey Terrace, Bredon Road, King John's Court and the White Bear pub.

Occupants are being urged to move cars, pets, food and all valuables to safety.

They have also been told to be ready in case they need to leave their homes.

Roads are also expected to flood at Tirley, Chaceley, Hayfield, Haw Bridge, Ashleworth, Deerhurst, Wainlode and Apperley.

Yesterday, residents and business owners were frantically moving their valuables and putting up flood defences.

Nicola Croome, landlady at the White Bear, said: "We're very wary of flooding inside the pub.

"We've been taking precautions by putting temporary flood barriers in place.

"The garden has flooded but it's not reached the building – yet.

"It's quite deep and is probably about 1m at the bottom of the garden. The ground's saturated.

"We've raised as many things off the ground as we can, but being a business which is open every day, there is only so much we can do.

"Our neighbours and customers are keeping an eye out for us."

Abbey Terrace resident John Badham said: "This confirms my worst fears.

"We've taken up all the carpets and we've put a temporary flood gate up as well as a flood wall.

"I've no idea whether it will work in practice or how high the floods will be.

"We haven't raised everything up yet but we will have to do that before tonight. At the moment the water is up to the top of the Vineyards and the meadow on the other side of the road. It's along the back behind our houses.

"It would be nice if the Environment Agency could actually do something to protect us instead of just telling us when our homes will get flooded."

The Environment Agency warned that water levels in the river Severn were expected to peak at between 4.2m and 4.4m last night.

A spokesman said: "If it goes to the top level forecast we've got some cottages in Bredon Road, the White Bear pub and King John's Court which could be at risk.

"At the moment the area is on flood warning.

"The advice at this stage is to move cars, pets, food and valuables to safety.

"If they are in the areas at risk, they should be acting now."

Gloucestershire County Council has put its emergency teams on standby following flooding in Northumberland.

County council chief executive Peter Bungard has been in touch with his counterpart in Morpeth over the weekend after the north east town was hit hard by heavy rains.

He said: "Following last year's floods, we have experience of what to do in the immediate aftermath and we are very happy to offer practical help and advice wherever we can.

"We have given advice on the best ways to get emergency funding from Government, how to make the county more resilient and to warn vulnerable homeowners to be aware of rogue traders."

Gloucestershire County Council leader Barry Dare said: "It is very distressing seeing the devastating scenes that we experienced for ourselves last year repeated in another community, but we hope the knowledge we gained then can be of use now."

Even more bad weather is expected later in the week.

The remnants of Hurricane Hanna, blowing in from across the Atlantic, is expected to hit Britain on Thursday bringing high winds and torrential.

■ For more advice and to get the latest updates for your area contact the agency's floodline on 0845 988 1188.