Flood alerts have been issued in parts of northern England amid the return of heavy showers falling over parched ground.

A total of five flood alerts, indicating flooding is possible, have been issued Thursday morning for parts of the north-east and north-west.

These cover the Crossens area of west Lancashire, Lower River Wear, Middlesborough Becks, the Rivers Derwent, Team, and Don, and the River Alt.

All alerts are the result of heavy showers causing rising river levels which threatens to burst banks.

Heavy showers in the affected areas continue, with up to 40 mm of rainfall possible in some areas in a few hours.

As rain falls over dry, parched ground, soil is unable to sufficiently absorb the water, leading to excessive run-off and flooding issues.