FORECASTERS have said that the recent rain, coupled with predicted downpours over the coming days, will cause the River Wye to flood.

Lower Lydbrook is particularly at risk, with householders from the properties along the river out watching the rise in flow of the angry looking river at dawn on Tuesday.

River watcher Andrew Marchant of Ruardean was out early to catch the view of the waters speeding past Ruardean pumping station. He told the Review: “It isn’t actually the rain falling around here that causes the river to flood, it is the rain that falls around the source of the Wye, which is on a soggy mountain called Plynlimon in mid Wales.”

He added: “This will spoil at lot of people’s Christmas canoe trips, as the river in spate is far too dangerous.”

Official weather forecasts for the Plynlimon area suggest heavy rain or continuous showers until after Bank Holiday Monday.