FLOOD ALERTS have been issued for rivers in West Dorset and Purbeck after the county was battered with heavy rain last night.

The Environment Agency said up to 20mm of rain fell in West Dorset overnight.

In a flood alert issued for Purbeck and Swanage today, they said:

"Water levels in the Purbeck Rivers and streams around Corfe Castle and Swanage areas are rising and are forecast to exceed bankful conditions.

"The rainfall is forecast to continue until about 12pm today, with up to another 10 mm expected."

The Agency also issued flood alerts relating to a number of West Dorset rivers - including the rivers Lim, Winniford, Char, Simene, Brit, Asker, Mangerton and Bride, as the water levels continue to rise. 

Earlier this morning, there were reports of localised flooding on the A35 Monkey's Jump Roundabout near Dorchester, at Harman's Cross on the A351 between Swanage and Corfe Castle, and on Northbrook Road in Swanage.

There were also reports of flooding on Burton Road between Bridport and Burton Bradstock, deep surface water on parts of the Coast Road near Swyre, and surface water spray on Granby Way and Dorchester Road in Weymouth. 

Travel Dorset reported some flooding on routes across Dorset too, tweeting this:

For the full list of areas affected by the flood alerts, visit apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/