With over 300 flood alerts in place across the UK, and nearly 100 flood warnings, Britain is braced for more flooding and heavy rains just ahead of the busiest weekend of the festive period.

The tumultuous weather is causing immense inconvenience to motorists and disrupting plans of the big Christmas getaway as 15 million Brits plan to take to the roads today. The airports, ports and the transport network are bracing to meet the holiday demand amidst the chaotic weather conditions.

Around 123,000 passengers are expected to leave through Heathrow Airport today, with thousands more heading across the English Channel by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel.

Yesterday, six villages were affected by severe flooding in Cornwall where the weather forecasters predict up to an inch of rain tonight, with south east Wales, the Midlands and the north east of England also at risk of flooding as successive bands of rain sweep across the country.

Fear of River Wallington bursting its banks has led to evacuation of residents of Wallington and Hampshire. The Environment Agency said the flood defence around the village had failed and cracks had formed in the wall. A number of motorists had to be rescued yesterday after getting trapped in the Hampshire flooding.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to have rescued six people from submerged vehicles. The firefighters also rescued two people from a van stranded in Purbrook Ford, Waterlooville, and motorists stuck in vehicles after driving into floodwater in Fareham, Ringwood and Wallington.

Hayling Island, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Colden Common, Brockenhurst and Woolston experienced severe flooding and many road and rail services have been suspended. No trains are operating between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst. In Southampton all roadworks within the city have been suspended as workers repair manhole covers.