Flood alerts as heavy rain is forecast

FLOOD alerts were issued last night after forecasters predicted that heavy rain across most of Scotland in the coming days.

The stormy conditions are expected to create flooding problems in Angus, Perthshire, Stirling and Fife.

Strong winds will also add to the risk of flooding as more leaves fall blocking streets and roads across the country.

A Met Office spokesman said: "At this time of year the flood risk can be higher due to leaf fall which blocks the drains and can therefore lead to flooding of streets and roads.

"Leaf fall will be increased over the next few days with strong winds which may reach gale or severe gale in places."

And the poor weather looks set to continue over the weekend and into next week, making more disruption likely.

The spokesman added: "More heavy rain will fall on Friday and late Sunday which will not give much time for rainfall to soak into the ground meaning more flooding is highly likely early next week."

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has flood watches in place at rivers and streams across Dumfries, West and Central Scotland, the Lothians and north into Tayside, Fife and the Highlands.

There were also more serious flood warnings in place last night at the River Lyon in Perthshire, the River Earn from Comrie to Crieff and the River Isla from Bridge of Ruthven to the River Tay.