POOLE and Christchurch harbours are at risk of flooding, the Environment Agency has warned.

Flood alerts have been issued for both harbours for the two hours either side of Saturday evening’s high tide.

High water is due at 8.45pm in Christchurch and 9.45pm in Poole. 

Areas most at risk are Christchurch Harbour and tidal stretches of the Lower Stour and Avon, and Poole Harbour and tidal stretches of the Lower Frome and River Piddle.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring the situation.

“Our incident response staff are checking defences. Please be careful along beaches, promenades and coastal footpaths and roads and consider installing property flood resilience equipment.”

A flood alert has also been issued for Milford on Sea to Lymington.

An update on the Environment Agency website says: "High tide at 21:42 on Saturday (14/11/2020) remains elevated and at 10:05 on Sunday 15/11/2020, tide levels will be marginally higher. Minor impact flooding is expected at each high tide. We will issue further advice.

“To protect property from flooding at Keyhaven and Lymington, we will close our tidal defence gates 2 hours either side of high water. We recommend that private defence gates are closed. Cars parked at Saltgrass Lane will flood.”

Elsewhere, a flood warning – meaning 'flooding is expected and immediate action is required' - has been issued for Beaulieu.

The agency says today access to the village will be “temporarily difficult”.

Speaking about Sunday, the Environment Agency says: “At 10:26 on Sunday (15/11/2020), the tide will be marginally higher with similar impacts expected. We will issue further advice.

"We continue to monitor the forecast. To reduce flood risk to property, please drive slowly through Beaulieu, avoiding the village completely if possible. At Hatchet Lane, driving through flood water can cause flooding to property.”