FLOODING problems are continuing to affect communities across Hampshire despite the respite in poor weather conditions.

Residents, shopkeepers and motorists have been urged to remain vigilant, as river flows and levels will still continue to increase over the coming weeks.

The Environment Agency has warned that the flood risk is likely to last for several months unless we have a prolonged dry spell.

Meanwhile the Met Office has advised drivers to exercise extreme caution, as temperatures look set to drop to freezing point over the weekend.

In Winchester - one of the worst-hit parts of the county - engineers and maintenance staff will be on duty throughout the weekend to deal with existing flooding and any new emergencies that may arise. City Council bosses are keeping a particularly close eye on the North Walls part of the city, where the threat of flooding is growing hour by hour.

"The ground water levels are continuing rise, even though we have had a dry spell for a couple of days," said council spokesman, Bryan Walker.

"We are in the creeping water phase at the moment and there is the danger that people may become complacent because of the finer weather.

"But we must emphasise that although the weather is pleasant the risk of flooding and the problems we have at the moment with rising water levels will continue for several weeks yet.

"Yesterday water started flooding into North Walls, which is a busy road through the city. If it becomes worse we may have to restrict traffic to one-way only. The closure of the whole road would only become necessary if we get water right across North Walls," he added.

Staff at the city council have been receiving an average 20-25 calls each hour from the public with regards to flood-related problems.

Parents across Winchester and in all other flood-hit parts of Hampshire have been urged to keep children away from swamped streets and swollen rivers and streams.

"Flooded streets, lanes and fields hide changes in ground level and obstacles which could cause injury, or lead to children falling into swollen streams and rivers," said Winchester City Council chief executive David Cowan.