MOTORISTS are being urged to take care on the roads today as surface water is reported around the area.

Police have issued a warning on the A31 westbound at Picket Post, where there is a large puddle in the road.

Elsewhere, surface water is making driving hazardous.

A Met Office weather warning is in place for parts of Dorset, in particular the east of the county and the New Forest, until 9pm tonight.

Forecasters said that rain would be persistent through much of today and could cause flooding in places before clearing eastwards.

The chief forecaster said: "A waving cold front will lie across the area for much of the day, with more than 20mm of rain expected in places. Given the wetter than average weather of late, these totals bring the risk of flooding in places."