Flooding on a scale not seen since the disastrous autumn of 2000 could be on the cards, the Environment Agency has warned.

Torrential rain and flash flooding have caused nightmare conditions for thousands of homeowners across the UK - even causing a landslide which derailed a train.

It is pretty bad and getting worse David Rooke, Environment Agency

Many sporting fixtures were cancelled on New Year's Day - including two Premiership matches; Charlton v West Ham and Fulham v West Bromwich Albion.

More than 140 flood warnings are in place and more rain is forecast overnight on New Year's Day and Thursday.

Parts of the country most affected have been the Midlands with 29 flood warnings, the South West with 35, the south with 21 and East Anglia with 29.

The train was carrying 150 passengers when it derailed

The South West has had 1.5 inches of rain since New Year's Eve, with officials warning people to be vigilant as rain continued.

The total amount of rainfall that has fallen in the South East in the past few days has almost reached the levels of October 2000, when thousands of people were forced out of their homes.

About 100 people were led to safety after a train from Brighton to London derailed after hitting a landslide caused by heavy rain.

An investigation has been launched into the incident which happened at about 1200 GMT near Redhill, Surrey.

One of the 105 passengers on board suffered whiplash injuries requiring hospital treatment, while the rest were shocked but unhurt.

Essex police described driving conditions in the county as "absolutely horrific" on Wednesday evening, after a road accident on the A128, near Brentwood, killed a teenage woman.

The police urged people to remain indoors, unless journeys were absolutely necessary.

An Environment Agency spokesman said river levels remained high in south Essex.

He said: "The River Crouch remains our biggest concern although we are hopeful that now the rain has stopped the waters may recede."

'Inevitable' flooding

People in flood-prone areas have been urged to protect their homes and property.

David Rooke, head of flood defence at the Environment Agency, said "remarkably few" properties had flooded so far, but was expecting more to do so over the next two days.

It was "virtually inevitable" that more homes in the South East would flood, the Environment Agency said.

Ray Kemp, agency spokesman for the area, said "alarms warning of imminent flooding are going off across the region".

He said even homes away from rivers may flood, because underground springs were about to overflow.

In Yalding, one of the worst-hit Kent villages of floods two years ago, all roads are already impassable and motorists are strongly advised to stay away.

For the latest information, the Environment Agency advises people to call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.