THE NUMBER of flood alerts across Cumbria has increased after heavy rain overnight.

The Flood information Service has put out alerts for Rivers Caldew and Petteril, Rivers Lowther and Eamont, and the Upper River Eden.

An alert has also gone out for Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water

An alert means "flooding is possible - be prepared".

The announcement was made for the Rivers Caldew and Petteril, together with the Upper River Eden, yesterday afternoon.

However at 7.34am this morning further alerts were put out for Rivers Lowther and Eamont together with Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water.

River levels are expected to remain high until Tuesday as further heavy rain is forecast. 

On the Rivers Caldew and Petteril alert, a spokesman for the service said: "River levels are forecast to rise at the Appleby river gauge as a result of forecast heavy rainfall overnight.

Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible from 6am tomorrow.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying areas in the Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Warcop, Great Asby, Great Ormside, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Bolton, Crosby Ravensworth and Morland areas.

"High river levels are possible on the River Eden, Scandal Beck, Swindale Beck, Crooks Beck, Asby Beck, River Lyvennet, Morland Beck and their tributaries.

"The river is forecast to peak below the operation of flood gates threshold and will not reach the Flood Warning threshold."

On the Upper River Eden alert he said: "River levels are forecast to rise at the Appleby river gauge as a result of forecast heavy rainfall overnight. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible from 6am tomorrow.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying areas in the Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Warcop, Great Asby, Great Ormside, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Bolton, Crosby Ravensworth and Morland areas.

"High river levels are possible on the River Eden, Scandal Beck, Swindale Beck, Crooks Beck, Asby Beck, River Lyvennet, Morland Beck and their tributaries. The river is forecast to peak below the operation of flood gates threshold and will not reach the Flood Warning threshold."

Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water he said: "Derwent Water Lake level is forecast to rise as a result of heavy rainfall overnight. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying land and roads in the Seatoller, Stonethwaite, Rosthwaite, Grange-in-Borrowdale and Derwent Water shoreline areas.

"High river and lake levels are possible on the River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck, Watendlath Beck, Derwent Water and their tributaries.

"We expect lake levels to remain high over the coming days due to further rainfall forecast."

With regard to Rivers Lowther and Eamont: "River levels have risen at the Bampton Grange river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall overnight.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying land and roads in the Bampton, Patterdale, Glenridding, Dockray, Pooley Bridge, Dacre, Eamont Bridge and Penrith areas. High river and lake levels are possible on the River Lowther, Haweswater Beck, Goldrill Beck, Grisedale Beck, Glenridding Beck, Aira Beck, Ullswater, River Eamont, Dacre Beck, Thacka Beck and their tributaries. 

"We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Our incident response staff are checking defences. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

Updates will be provided when more information becomes available.