County put on flood alert as roads closed

Homes are on flood alert after three days of torrential rain – with more on the way.

Several roads have already been closed after 1.51 inches (38.4mm) of rain fell in three days, more than half the normal rainfall expected for the whole of November.

The downpour forced the Phoenix Arts Centre, Leicester, to close for three days after water poured through its roof.

City council staff have also been filling sandbags as a precaution.

Forecasters say the heavy rain will continue during the week.

Villagers in Frisby-on-the Wreake, near Melton, are hoping they can avoid a repeat of bad floods that damaged many homes 10 years ago.

Red Weaver, 65, who lives in a mill house next to the Wreake, has seen his garden turned into a lake.

Twice in 10 years, his house has flooded. He said he is now prepared with piles of sandbags at the ready.

He said: "We've been through this before. I have had all the floors tiled and all the electricity plugs moved.

"The worst part is when you get sewage and all sorts of toxic waste in there."

Fellow villager Kate Lalley, 73, also has made memories of the previous flood which saw water, a foot high, in her living room.

She said: "It's a bit nerve-wracking knowing that it could flood again."

Water poured through the roof of Phoenix Arts on Saturday night causing damage to the main auditorium

All screenings at the Newarke Street cinema have been cancelled since Sunday.

The theatre was without power yesterday after fears the electrics were damaged by the water, but it was later found they had not been affected.

A clean-up operation has taken place, with part of the auditorium and front of house needing to be dried out.

The cinema, cafe and bar is expected to reopen tomorrow.

Marketing officer Alex Barrett said: "There was a problem with some drainage in the roof, the water got in and pooled in several areas.

"It has been mopped up, but we are still checking everything is dry.

"We're not sure how much this has cost, but obviously we have lost the takings from about a dozen of screenings we have had to cancel."

Roads closed yesterday by flooding were Slash Lane and Mountsorrel Lane, Sileby; Sileby Lane, Mountsorrel; Cossington Lane, Rothley; Broome Lane, East Goscote; Rearsby Road, Thrussington; and Braunstone Lane East, Leicester.

Police said they had dealt with flooding at Crow Mill, South Wigston, in Middleton Street, Aylestone, and in Bosworth Lane, Newbold Verdon.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said it had issued a flood alert and six flood watches for across the county.

So far 2.59in (65.8 mm) rain has fallen in November. The average rainfall for the month of November is normally 2.25in (56 mm)

Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said: "That's a colossal amount of rain and there's more to come. It will be very unsettled with more showers."