MOTORISTS have been warned to avoid certain roads in the conurbation as floods cause problems across the county.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue urged people to avoid Old Market Road, Brickyard Lane and Knoll Lane in Corfe Mullen, and Holt Road in Holt, as flood water has made them “impassable”.

The A341 Magna Road is currently blocked both ways and there is slow traffic due to flooding between Oakley Lane and Moortown Drive.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received "lots of 999 calls" for cars stuck in flood water.

Dorset Echo:

Flooding at Branksome Chine by Emma Fisher 

Posting on Twitter, the fire service said: "Please do not drive into flood water, find an alternative route. The FRS is unable to tow cars out of flood water or dry out cars.

"Please contact your recovery service."

A flood warning has been issued for Swanage with a warning that several roads and properties could flood after overnight heavy rainfall.

Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for Swanage on Saturday, December 5 after the river levels at Swan Brook have “risen rapidly”.

A number of roads across the town are at risk of flooding, including High Street, The Square, Commercial Road, Victoria Avenue and Church Hill.

The Sandbanks Ferry service has also been suspended due to high winds and tide.

It is not yet known when the service will resume.

Dorset Echo:

Flooding near Hamworthy Fire Station, picture Victor Shoby Barbu

The Morebus 50 service is being diverted as a result of the Sandbanks Ferry suspension with passengers urged to allow extra time for their journeys. 

It comes after the Met Office issued a warning for heavy rain across Dorset.

The weather agency said as much as 20 to 40mm of rainfall could be seen in some places over the space of just a few hours.

Flooding has already been reported in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens.

A yellow weather alert was in force until 11am.