Flooding remains a possibility just about anywhere in the UK as the melting snow is adding to already swollen rivers.

The Environment Agency urges people to be prepared over the coming days but warns that “sandbags are relatively ineffective when compared to purpose designed flood protection.”

Others include the pioneering FloodSax sandless sandbags which miraculously transform from what resemble pillowcases to tough sandbags once they come into contact with water.

The Environment Agency says on its website: “Local flooding is possible from surface water and rivers on Friday night and Saturday across the south west of England and south Wales. Some land, roads and isolated properties may flood and there may be local travel disruption.”

The River Nidd in North Yorkshire is today (Wednesday, March 7) at a high risk of flooding and is being constantly monitored by the Environment Agency.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has also issued multiple alerts.

In the north east, ScotRail said flooding between Dyce and Inverurie had closed the line and meant services could not operate between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Police said there were numerous flooded roads between Stonehaven and Arbroath while many routes throughout the north east have been affected by heavy surface water and areas of flooding which are creating "hazardous" driving conditions.

* Many homes and businesses worldwide now have a pack of FloodSax sandless sandbags so they are ready for any flooding emergency. They are space-saving to store but can be transformed into sandbags within minutes simply by adding water. 

Almost three million have now been sold worldwide.