With 19 flood warnings in force across the region on New Year's Day, homeowners faced a gloomy start to the year.

The Environment Agency has also issued 51 less severe "flood watches" in East Anglia and firefighters are appealing to the public to dial 999 only in life-threatening situations.

At 0500 GMT in Norwich on Tuesday, police and firefighters rescued a 65-year-old woman from a freezing river.

Firefighters were also called to help two boys who became stranded while fishing at a river in Costessey, Norfolk, late on Monday.

Flooding problems

St Ives in Cambridgeshire and parts of Essex were hit by floods earlier this week after the rivers Great Ouse and Crouch flooded.

The Environment Agency said it feared further problems because 35mm of rain was forecast for some parts of the region.

"There are still problems around St Ives where the river Great Ouse flooded," said a spokesman.

Main problem

"We are also concerned about the river Crouch in Essex where there were problems earlier this week.

"There have been no major problems overnight but the forecast is for up to 35 millimetres in some parts of the Anglian region and we are bracing ourselves for more problems."

In Essex two main roads and a number of minor roads were closed because of flooding.

A police spokesman said the main problem was on the A12 at Kelvedon where diversions were in place.

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