RIVER levels are expected to gradually return to normal over the next few days following widespread flooding around the River Stour.

Many areas are still under water with local residents claiming flooding in some areas is the worst in living memory.

Muscliff resident Dorothy Casey, 81, told the Daily Echo: “It is pretty bad – the whole place is flooded all the way round as far as you can see. “You need a boat to get around.”

But the Environment Agency said river levels are already starting to fall and added: “No severe rainfall is expected over the next few days but rivers will respond to any localised rainfall.”

The forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend is for dull weather with temperatures below the seasonal average, going down to 4C on Saturday night.