HERE we go again - thousands of families face a grim start to the New Year with warnings of further flooding across Hampshire over the coming week.

Last week's snow, followed by the big thaw and heavy rain has sent river levels soaring, with fears that many may burst their banks.

Areas around the Upper Lymington, Upper Test and Wallington rivers are now on flood alert and residents have been urged to prepare themselves for the worst.

The Environment Agency, which has sent flood advice leaflets to 5,000 households, said the banks of the River Wallington, at Fareham, were now in danger of collapsing.

Agency spokesman Ray Kemp added: "The prospects for the beginning of the New Year look very grim for Hampshire. On New Year's Eve 35mm of rain fell at Brock-enhurst and we had flooding at Exon. The river levels are very high and they are still rising because of the thaw and the rain since.''

A Met Office spokesman said further bands of heavy rain were expected to sweep across Hampshire from the south west throughout the week.

"We have seen the back of the snow, but people are still going to have to be careful on the roads because there is the potential of some very heavy rain," he said.

In the New Forest residents acted to protect their homes after a village was hit by more flooding.

Families at Sopley sandbagged properties and used cones to reduce the main road through the village to a single lane.

Drivers were asked to slow down to prevent their cars causing a wash and flooding houses.

The neighbouring village of Ripley was also hit by flooding.

Meanwhile, revellers returning from New Year celebrations faced train delays after the line between New Milton and Sway was flooded.