An MP has criticised the speed at which flood warnings are issued by the Environment Agency. Sarah Bool, Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, raised the issue during a debate on flooding at the House of Commons on Monday.

The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood alerts for Merseyside as river levels remain high in some areas following sleet, snow and rain. Areas most at risk include River Alt and other watercourses from Huyton to Hightown including, Kirkby, Fazakerley, Maghull, Formby, Aughton, Sefton and Lunt.

Serious flooding swamped parts of England and snow forced three airports to close temporarily as wet and icy weather combined to extend travel chaos that has plagued the U.K. since the start of the ye

Weather warnings for snow and ice are in force across much of the UK after severe flooding and snow caused travel disruption and school closures. Most of south-west England and Wales, coastal parts of North Wales and Merseyside and parts of north-west England and the West Midlands have a yellow snow and ice warning in place until 10am today (January 7).