More flood warnings have been put in place across Dorset as storm Ciarán arrives.

Residents of Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and the surrounding villages are being warned that flooding is expected in the area, with properties are at risk from the floods.

In Weymouth flooding is expected near the Sea Life Centre and the Preston Beach Road area of Lodmoor.

Closer to Portland, flooding is anticipated in the areas of Chesil Bank, the Fleet Nature Reserve, Ferry Bridge Marine Services and Portland Beach Road.

Dorset Council says local agencies are keeping a close eye on Portland Beach Road and are ready to close it if necessary.

A spokesperson said: “We're getting lots of reports of standing water and debris on the roads. If you must travel this morning, please take special care and check your route in advance.”

Further flood warnings are in place along the A354 Chiswell, Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road, the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road.

In and around Dorchester, floods are expected in areas in Higher Frome Vauchurch, Frome Vauchurch, Cruxton, Notton, Frampton, Grimstone, Muckleford, Stratton, Bradford Peverell, Wrackleford, Charminster, Frome Whitfield, Wolfeton, Lower Burton and Cokers Frome, as well as Dorchester Road and the Frome Lane area of Maiden Newton.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Please take action to protect yourself and your property and monitor local weather and river conditions. Avoid contact with, walking or driving through flood water and consider activating any property flood protection products you may have.

There are further flood alerts in place for Weymouth Harbour and the tidal stretch of the River Wey, as well as tributaries between Toller Whelme and Dorchester, meaning that flooding is possible in this area.

The Environment Agency are encouraging people to ‘monitor local water levels and weather conditions, avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding and start acting on your flood plan if you have one.’

The flood alerts continue towards West Dorset, including Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, West Bay, Bothenhampton, Burton Freshwater, Burton Bradstock, Cogden Beach, Chesil Beach, West Fleet, East Fleet and Chiswell.