Two more flood alerts have been issued across Kent, bringing the total to four, as heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout Boxing Day.

Initial alerts remain in place for the Lower River Medway across parts of Maidstone, and the Upper River Stour in Ashford, while further alerts in both areas have been introduced overnight.

The Environment Agency is now warning of possible flooding of the River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden, to Hampstead Lock at Yalding, and the River Rother from Turks Bridge to the Royal Military Canal.

Levels at Stilebridge are starting to fall this morning but further heavy showers could cause them to rise again near Smarden this afternoon.

Flooding of roads and low lying land is possible in the Etchingham, Robertsbridge and Newenden areas.

The flood storage reservoir on the East Stour near Aldington, is retaining some flood water to assist drainage through Mersham and Ashford.

However, minor flooding to low lying land and roads along the East Stour, Aylesford Stream, Whitewater Dyke, Ruckinge Dykes and the Great Stour upstream of Ashford town centre, is still expected.

From this evening, some riverside footpaths in Maidstone could become flooded, but the overall risk from the Lower River Medway is slowly reducing.

The Environment Agency says its incident response staff have been checking defences in these areas and a further update will be issued by 8pm this evening.