SHOPS and businesses in Bradford on Avon are battening down the hatches as the river Avon threatens to flood the town centre.

The Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings for the stretch of river between Melksham and Bradford on Avon and its tributaries.

Water has already flowed into Market Street and some shop owners have closed up and gone home.

Manager of Cobb Farr estate agents Mike Ringham said: "We've got the sandbags out, the river is rising and its coming our way.

"We are in the process of evacuating the ground floor and moving up to the first floor but it's slightly difficult moving all the computer and files and everything.

"We've had a couple of flood warnings left on our phone and the fire brigade have been out here monitoring it.

"The water is flowing very fast under the bridge and there is only a six-inch gap under the middle arch where it's going through."

The Met Office is predicting more rain for the area tomorrow and into the weekend.