HEAVY rain and floods are expected to hit South Cumbria today and tomorrow, with 40 millimetres of rain expected to fall.

After the wake of heavy downpours brought on by Storm Dennis, flood-hit communities are preparing for the arrival of even more bands of rain.

Yellow Met Office weather warnings have been issued for Barrow, Ulverston, Millom and across the north-west, sparking fears of heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

It is likely that the rainfall over today and tomorrow could be similar to Storm Dennis with low lying roads, parks and some isolated properties being affected.

Heavy rainfall is forecast during the second half of today into Saturday, with further widespread rain then likely across the region overnight Saturday and through Sunday morning.

High ground in the west of the region is most likely to see the largest totals, though there is some uncertainty over the locations and volumes of forecast rain.

A flood alert has been issued for Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck in South Cumbria, with river levels expected to raise across the day.

West coast train services ground to a halt yesterday morning after the railway line became flooded.

The West Coast Main Line was closed in both directions between Carlisle and Lancaster shortly before 7.50am yesterday morning following recent downpours.

The line was reopened for northbound trains at 9.20am, while southbound services could not begin running again until 10.10am.