HEAVY rain is forecast for the weekend, prompting a warning to residents to be on the lookout for potential flooding.

Meteorologists say downpours are expected over North Yorkshire and the North-East on Saturday night and Sunday night.

With the ground already saturated by recent heavy rainfall, and river levels high, the Environment Agency is advising residents and businesses to remain vigilant. It also advises people to monitor its website to see if they are in an area at risk of flooding.

Nine flood alerts were issued this morning (Friday, November 23) across Yorkshire and the North-East and the agency has already warned that more may be issued tomorrow.

Flood risk manager Phil Younge (CORRECT), said: “Yesterday's rainfall affected southern parts of the country quite significantly, and we hope that the wet weather ahead of us does not cause any further disruption.

"However, ground water and river levels are high at the moment and we have more rainfall coming, so we need to prepare against the risks.

"The Environment Agency is checking its defences and continuing to monitor rainfall and river levels - and we are urging people to make sure they are prepared, just in case.”

A meteorologist with the MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said tomorrow (Saturday, November 24) was likely to start off quite dry, but outbreaks of rain were expected during the afternoon, before a heavy band of rain hits the region overnight.

She said: “We’re expecting most of the rain over Saturday night. That will probably cause the risk of some localised flooding on already saturated ground.”

The rain is expected to ease off Sunday morning, before another band of rain arrives on Sunday night.

For updates on areas at risk of flooding, or to sign up to free flood alerts, visit the Environment Agency’s website at; www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the flood line on 0845 988 1188.