8.00 LATEST: West Country being battered by heavy rain and gusty winds

The West has been experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds since midnight as the first major of the autumn threatens to flood the region.

Residents have been warned to expect a month's worth of rainfall in 24 hours, and forecasters say there is a risk of localised flooding across the country.

The South West England has been battered since the early hours and the rain is expected to head north east throughout the day, hitting Northern Ireland and the south of Scotland by mid-afternoon.

Experts warn that after an unusually-wet August the ground is saturated the risk of flooding is increased across Britain.

Gusts of up to 50mph will make it a "thoroughly miserable" day according to Mr Mott, who advised commuters to leave extra time for their journeys because of the weather.

Mr Mott said: "For most areas it will be a wet and miserable day, and we would advise people to take care on the roads and allow extra time for their journeys.

"There will be some localised flooding in Wales and the north east in areas that are prone to it, but we're not expecting widespread flooding."

"It's going to remain unstable over the weekend. There will be rain, sometimes heavy rain, through the UK with northern England bearing the brunt of it.

People in Gloucestershire are bracing themselves for another night of heavy rain after storms swept into the region, causing flash floods.

Downpours overnight and this morning led to road closures in the county and firefighters had to pump out floodwater from homes.

Residents are now preparing for the possibility of more flooding after forecasters predicted downpours to continue throughout the night and into the morning as the South West feels the brunt of a storm coming in from the Atlantic.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the region until this evening and say around 2in of rain is expected.

Gloucestershire County Council has put services on high alert after learning from the lessons of the major floods which wreaked havoc throughout the county in July last year.

Around 13 houses in Lakeside Avenue, Lydney, have been affected by flash flooding and householders say it is the second time this year the street has been deluged.

The following roads are reported to have problems already this morning;

*The A48 at Lydney is particularly affected at its junction with the B4231, Church Road.

*Two Mile Lane in Highnam is only passable for large vehicles.

*The B4063 at Staverton has large amounts of standing water.

*Standing water on Tredworth Road in Gloucester, but the road is still passable.

*Oakle Street in the Forest of Dean has up to 18 inches of standing water in places.

*St Oswalds Road has standing water affecting driving

*Green Lane in Hucclecote has up to 18 inches of standing water.

*Visibility is also poor on the M5 throughout the county, with police warning drivers to slow down in the wet conditions.

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