EMERGENCY services are on the alert after the Environment Agency warned of flooding in parts of Wimborne, Christchurch and Ferndown.

Homes and shops were at risk as the River Stour burst its banks this afternoon. Water levels have risen to the tops of benches outside the Bridge House Hotel in Longham.

Although officials hope the water has now reached its peak and will begin to recede, firefighters, police and local authorities are on the alert going into the weekend.

A warning that flooding was expected and immediate action was required was this afternoon issued along the Lower Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch.

Bournemouth Echo:

The Bridge House Hotel

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: “River levels have risen at the Blandford river gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of land and property is imminent.

“We believe there is a possibility of flooding for farms at Sturminster Marshall, Cowgrove, shops in Wimborne, Mill Street in Corfe Mullen, the Bridge House Hotel in Ferndown, Brecon Close, Ringwood Road, Throop Road in Bournemouth, Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch.”

The spokesperson river levels are likely to remain high into the weekend, although they will reach their peak this afternoon.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are liaising with emergency services," he said.

“We'd ask owners with property flood resilience equipment to install it now and move possessions and valuables off the ground.”

Further rain is expected this weekend with a yellow weather warning of rain in force for Dorset from 12am on Saturday until midday on Sunday. 

Police confirmed they will be ready to help out if required, while officials from BCP Council said: "We are working closely with multi agency partners and are fully prepared to respond in the event of a flood incident.

"Council services have been put on standby should there be a need to evacuate and set up a rest centre or offer other assistance.”

Officials from Dorset Council said they are part of a 'resilience forum', and have conferred with authorities including the Environment Agency and Public Health England. It is not expected that anyone from East Dorset will need to be evacuated.