8:37pm UK, Tuesday January 15, 2008

Nearly 80 flood warnings have been issued as heavy rain continues to sweep across England and Wales.

180 flooding in

Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire

Forecasters are predicting that up to 40mm of rain could fall in some areas and gusts of up to 70mph are also expected.

The South West and Wales expected to be worst affected, including Gloucester and Tewkesbury, which were severely hit by last year's summer floods.

Thousands of residents have been sandbagging their homes amid concerns the River Severn could flood.

The Environment Agency has put flood warnings in place at the Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.

Train services have been cancelled and motorists forced to endure treacherous conditions.

John Bishop, 52, whose pub is on the banks of the River Avon in Tewkesbury, said: "It's very, very bad news, especially as we are just getting over what happened in the summer.

"I hope this time won't be as bad but if the water comes up another 16 inches, we will be in trouble.

"If the heating system in the boathouse gets damaged, that will be very costly indeed."

Sky News Weather presenter Isobel Lang said the day's heavy rain will be followed by a drier spell on Wednesday.

But she said the end of the week was of concern.

"All eyes will be trained on the Atlantic, as further weather systems head across towards the south coast for Thursday and Friday.

"It all contributes to a high chance of further destruction from flooding by the end of the week."

Meanwhile, emergency services and councils are on stand-by and getting prepared for the worst.

Gloucestershire County Council highway teams have been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways.

Last July, chaos hit western England and the Midlands after the worst flooding recorded since 1947.

More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire were affected by flooding.