A FLOOD alert has been issued for the parts of the Candover Valley north of Alresford.

Theis week's yellow weather warning for Storm Christoph comes after a period of heavy rain.

The Environment Agency has a flood alert in place for the Candovers and Old Alresford and warns some cellars may be at risk.

The danger is not from surface flooding but the rise of groundwater as the saturated water table rises up and threaten property.

The agency website says: "Groundwater levels remain high and continue to rise very slowly. In the last eight days, almost half a month’s rain (42mm) has been recorded at Bishop’s Sutton, near Alresford. In Preston Candover, the groundwater level has risen by 7cm. In Old Alresford, it has only risen by 2cm. Rain continues today (January 20) with a further 15mm expected."

The agency believes the pressure will ease soon. It adds: "From Thursday (January 21) to Sunday (January 24) only very small amounts of rain are then forecast. Over the next five days, there could be two outcomes. The rain may just be enough to cause the onset of cellar flooding in a very small number of cellars at the lower end of Preston Candover village. Or, it may keep the groundwater a few centimetres below a level where cellar flood impacts occur. Widespread groundwater flooding is not expected.

"We continue to monitor the forecast. If you use pumps to help reduce water levels, please ensure they can operate."