Drivers are being warned to take extra precautions Flood defences

More than 40 flood warnings are in force, with the Midlands, northern England and Wales most at risk.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the situation was currently stable after Saturday's rainfall turned out to be less than expected.

However, she warned, the risk of flooding was still high.

The greatest threat was from persistent and heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.

'Be vigilant'

She said: "We've had fairly heavy rain in the Welsh mountains which is only affecting the upper reaches of the Severn.

"The rain has been less than predicted, the defences are holding and river levels are steady.

"But we're expecting rain on Monday night and we still want everybody to remain vigilant."

Flood waters have submerged streets in Tewkesbury again

The BBC weather service said rain would continue to fall across Wales, the Midlands and northern England throughout Sunday and into Monday.

The Met Office forecast persistent and locally heavy rain on Monday, possibly turning into snow over northern hills.

It predicted widespread rainfall of up to 30mm (1in), with a risk of up to 75mm (3in) over hills.

Severe weather has already closed roads, hit travel and threatened homes across England and Wales this week.

In Oxfordshire 17 homes in the village of Kelmscott, in the west of the county, were damaged on Thursday by 3ft (0.9m) of water.

Oxfordshire St John Ambulance said it had set up rest centres, while volunteers and vehicles would be providing 24-hour assistance at least over the weekend.

FLOOD WARNINGS: WHAT TO DO Move pets, vehicles and valuables to safety Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly Put sandbags in place and plug sinks and baths Be ready to turn off gas and electricity Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities Do what you can in daylight Source: Environment Agency

An Environment Agency statement covering the weekend said: "We are warning people across the Midlands to prepare for flooding again over the next few days, as the latest weather forecast from the Met Office is predicting heavy rainfall.

"While everyone living in a flood-risk area should remain vigilant, we believe that flooding is especially likely to occur on the Severn and its tributaries north of Shrewsbury, and in Gloucestershire.

"Along the lower reaches of the Trent and its tributaries - Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire - we are expecting a slight worsening of the current situation."

In Gloucestershire - one of the counties worst affected by the July 2007 flooding - police issued a statement reassuring residents.

Gloucestershire Police's silver control, set up by the force as a precaution in case the weather worsens, remains in operation over the weekend.

However, its commander, Chief Inspector Richard Smith, said they did not expect anything major to happen.

"The situation is very different to that of July but as weather predictions can change we will continue to be prepared for any event," he said.