The Environment Agency said uplands and areas that experienced heavy rain earlier this week were more at risk and it had teams checking flood defences, clearing river blockages and monitoring river levels.

BBC: Injured crewman airlifted in storms off Isles of Scilly

It concluded that more than 8, 600 homes, 1, 300 business and 90 schools suffered flood damage as a result of the heavy rain.

BBC: Man on surfboard in flooded Hull street

Flood defences have been put up in Worcestershire as melting snow and heavy rain raise the river levels.

BBC: Worcestershire flood barriers put up as river levels rise

The Woodland Trust said the planting also had the unexpected benefit of reducing water run-off from grassland in heavy rain, and led to research and important new evidence of the role trees can play in flood control.

BBC: Pontbren Farmers' Group environmental work praised

More than 80 flood warnings and nearly 300 alerts are in place across Britain as thawing snow and heavy rain push river levels higher.

BBC: Canoeist dies as thaw brings flooding