FLOOD warnings are in place tonight on the River Kennet between Theale and the centre of Reading and the River Loddon at Arborfield and Shinfield.

The Environment Agency says river levels are “high and rising” along the Kennet from Theale and through Burghfield, Calcot, Southcote and The Oracle shopping centre district in the middle of Reading.

The River Loddon is in a similar state where it runs through the villages of Arborfield and Shinfield,

The Agency’s official bulletin on both areas and issued just after 4pm said: “Flooding of some low lying properties near to the river is expected. The weather prospects are mostly dry for a time with sunny spells, but scattered squally showers developing, sometimes heavy with perhaps hail and thunder.”

Get more detailed information by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188,