HOUSEHOLDERS across Suffolk could face the threat of new year flooding after heavy downpours over the weekend.More than twelve hours rain yesterday brought the month's rainfall well above the average for December, according to Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers.

HOUSEHOLDERS across Suffolk could face the threat of new year flooding after heavy downpours over the weekend.

More than twelve hours rain yesterday brought the month's rainfall well above the average for December, according to Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers.

He there was no prospect of any change over the coming week as a belt of rain was expected to sweep the country from the Atlantic.

"We've had 3.33 inches of rain since the beginning of the month and the average should have been 2.29 inches, so we are already an inch above the long term average.

"The outlook for this week is quite grim, because we have rain belts coming in from the south west and they will be crossing Britain during this week," he added.

Coming immediately after 3.37 inches of rain in October and an extremely wet November at 4.12 inches, he warned there could be a likelihood of flooding later in the week.

Last night there were flood warning signs in Somersham and the Environment Agency had issued a flood alert for the River Gipping between the village of Bramford and the south of Needham Market..

Almost 50 flood warnings were put in place by the Environment Agency but a spokesman said they mostly affected agricultural land.

The Midlands had the highest number of warnings with 33, while eight were in place in Wales, four in East Anglia and two in southern England.

The spokesman added: "The general feeling is that it is unlikely that the rain is going to result in the flooding of towns and villages. However, catchments across the country are now waterlogged and we need to keep an eye on the situation over the next few days."

Environment Agency Floodline is on 0845 9881188 or www.environment-agency.gov.uk