FIVE flood alerts have been issued for different areas in Cumbria.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued the following alerts - the third highest level of warning - for:

Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck, Derwent Water - Derwentwater Lake level has risen as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of low lying land and footpaths around the lake's edge is expected to continue throughout this evening. With more rainfall forecast today, the lake level is expected to continue to rise until late this evening. The current forecast suggests that a Flood Warning is not expected.

Rivers Lowther and Eamont - River levels have risen in the Upper Lowther area particularly Glenridding Beck as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and low lying land is possible. We expect river levels to remain high due to the continuation of heavy showers. The Environment Agency's incident response staff have installed defences at Glenridding. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

Upper River Eden - River levels have now started to reduce around the Appleby area, however, with further bands of rain forecast this afternoon, a Flood Alert will remain in place until these have passed. Low lying land and roads in the Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Warcop, Great Asby, Great Ormside, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Bolton, Crosby Ravensworth and Morland areas may be affected.

Rivers Kent and Bela - River levels have risen at the Mint Bridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible between 09:00 and 14:00 today, 06/03/19. Low lying land and roads in the Staveley, Ings, Burneside, Kendal, Garnett Bridge, Stainton, Sedgwick, Holme, Beetham and Milnthorpe areas may be affected. High river levels are possible on the Rivers Kent, Gowan, Sprint, Mint, Stock Beck, Stainton Beck, Peasey Beck, Farleton Beck, River Bela, Holme Beck and their tributaries. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

Lower River Eden - River levels have risen at the Linstock river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible. Low lying land and roads in the Crosby-on-Eden, Linstock, Carlisle and Rockcliffe areas may be affected. High river levels are possible on the River Eden, River Caldew, River Petteril, Durranhill Beck, Brunstock Beck, Gosling Sike, Little Caldew, Parham Beck, Rockcliffe Beck and their tributaries. Further rainfall is forecast over the next few hours.

The EA is advising motorists to plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.