FLOOD barriers are to be deployed in Bewdley tomorrow morning (February 10) to cope with rising river levels.

The barriers will be put up in Severnside North tomorrow morning, following earlier heavy rain.

The barriers were originally to be deployed this afternoon (February 9), but the Environment Agency has had to change their plans due to the town being too busy.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We are responding to the changeable weather forecast. The river levels in Bewdley will be peaking on Thursday, February 11.

"We want to keep Bewdley open for business and minimise disruption to the local community, so we will deploy the demountable barriers at Severnside North and are also likely to deploy the temporary barriers at Beales Corner tomorrow morning (Wednesday, February 10).

"We are in contact with Worcestershire County Council regarding the bridge closure arrangements. The bridge will be closed on Wednesday, as this cannot be avoided, but disruption will be minimised.

"We are in contact with Severn Trent Water regarding pumping arrangements, as necessary."

At 8.30am this morning (February 9), Bewdley Gauge was measuring at 3.11 metres and rising slowly.

A peak level of 3.3 to 3.7 metres is expected to occur tomorrow afternoon (February 10).