LIVE: Flood news (From Thisisdorset)

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Firefighters in the east of the county used pumps  to save houses threatened by flood water in Christchurch yesterday. (22)

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Reader Michael Dunnett sent in this picture of the River Frome at Wareham on the Stoborough road yesterday afternoon. (22)

9:47am

Coastguards have just recieved information that all Flood Warnings for the South West have been lifted.

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More heavy rain overnight

The Environment Agency issued a Flood Warning for the Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester late last night.

The area includes:  areas in Maiden Newton, Higher Frome Vauchurch, Frome Vauchurch, Cruxton, Notton, Frampton, Grimstone, Muckleford, Stratton, Bradford Peverell, Wrackleford, Charminster, Frome Whitfield, Wolfeton, Lower Burton and Cokers Frome

6:02pm

Keep sending ypur photos to us overnight - newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk. Ring us on 01305 830999 if you've been affected.

5:17pm

Dorset Fire and Rescue service said they have attended numerous calls for assistance today from across the county.

The advice to drivers is not to drive through flood water and if there is a road closed sign- it is there for a reason so please do not drive past it.

4:19pm

Wet weather has caused clay to slip down the cliffs at Swanage and onto beach huts.

Coastguards were called to the landslide at the northern part of Swanage beach. on Friday afternoon.

But after more heavy rain overnight, more clay became waterlogged and slipped down onto newly built beach huts.

Nobody was hurt and the area has been taped off as the incident is ongoing.

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3:24pm

Current Environment Agency Flood Alerts for Dorset:

Lower Frome from Dorchester to East Stoke and  Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham.

Purbeck and Swanage areas

3:21pm

The Met Office has released amber weather warnings, which mean "be prepared", for heavy rain and strong winds across South West England, Yorkshire and Humber, Wales, central Scotland and the Grampians until tomorrow morning.

Rain is affecting almost every part of the UK today after heavy rain swept the country overnight.

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There is surface water at Osmington and drivers are being warned to take care.

The B3157 is blocked in both directions near Burton Road Bothenhampton due to flooding.

3:05pm

The National Flood Forum has launched an e-petition on the government Direct.com website entitled “People need Flood Insurance”.

It is calling on the government to take immediate action that will ensure flood victims and flood hit communities can obtain affordable flood insurance after 2013, in the interests of individuals, communities and the national economy.

Nearly 2000 homes in England and Wales have flooded since the beginning of November, according to the Environment Agency.  Added to the 5,500 flooded earlier in the year, there are now well over 7000 families facing a bleak Christmas, with a home they cannot live in, the forum says.

The epetition can be found at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42396

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Reader Fiona Forsyth sent us this picture of a submerged Corfe Castle.

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11:48am

Another picture of the flooding on the B351 in the West Dorset village of Burton Bradstock.

11:33am

Reader Richard Vincent kindly sent us photos of flooding at Burton Bradstock. Sandbags are being delivered by council workers.

11:28am

Members of Churches Together were thwarted by heavy rain overnight and this morning which stopped the open air Bridport Nativity in Bucky Doo Square.

Reverend Philip Ringer, chairman of Churches Together in Bridport and District said, ‘It is a huge disappointment that we have had to cancel and it is only the second time in the long history of the the Bridport Nativity that we have had to do so because of the weather."

11:24am

FUND-RAISING 'Santa Special' steam trains are still running through the Isle of Purbeck today, despite flooding blocking the main A351 Wareham to Swanage road at Corfe Castle.

Special early morning trains were laid on to transport Swanage Railway 'Santa Special' volunteers and staff from the Norden Park & Ride car park – off the main A351 road from Wareham and just north of Corfe Castle – to their places of duty at Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage stations.

This morning at 8.44am, Swanage Railway volunteers reported the main A351 road at Corfe Castle was flooded and impassable between the B3351 Studland road railway viaduct and the centre of village by the old mill.

Swanage Railway volunteers driving for duty to man the fund-raising 'Santa Special' steam trains this morning, also reported the road was flooded at Stoborough, south of Wareham, with motorists being advised to use the Wareham bypass instead.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman and 'Santa Special' volunteer Liz Sellen said: "We want to make it clear the Swanage Railway's 'Santa Special' steam trains are unaffected by the flooding in Corfe Castle and that passengers should park their vehicles at the Norden Park & Ride car park and take our heritage diesel rail bus train to Swanage.

"Because the A351 main road from Wareham to Swanage was impassable at Corfe Castle this morning because of the flooded Byle and Wicken streams, we laid on special trains from the Norden Park & Ride car park to ensure that our 'Santa Special' staff could reach their places of duty at Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage stations," Mrs Sellen said.

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The Highways Agency has issued this advice for motorists:

"It can take twice as long to stop when the road surface is wet, so drivers are advised to slow down and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

"Driving too quickly through water can cause aquaplaning and loss of control of your vehicle which can lead to accidents."

11:02am

Abandoned car in flood water on the West Stafford bypass.

10:58am

Send us your flood pictures! Either Tweet us @DorsetEcho or email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

10:54am

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The A35 has been reopened  from Monkeys Jump to Bridport following earlier flooding in Winterbourne Abbas.

10:42am

Today's match in the Dorset Premier League between Chickerell and Portland United has been postponed due to the bad weather.

10:38am

The A35 is closed both ways between Monkeys Jump roundabout in Dorchester and Bridoport due to flooding.

But the A351 which was earlier blocked at Corfe Castle due to flooding has now cleared.

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With more heavy rain hitting the county last night and today we will be updating you of the latest road closures.