Rain-soaked Britain braces for more downpours

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Parts of Britain hit by flooding this week prepared for more downpours at the weekend, with up to 50 mm of rain forecast for some areas.

Meteorologists said most of England could expect about 25 mm of rain, with a risk of 50 mm in parts of Wales and the west of England.

Eastern areas, which also suffered flooding in the past week, were likely to escape the worst of the weather, the Met Office said.

Five severe flood warnings were still in place, mainly in relation to the River Don in the northeast, while dozens of other rivers and canals were at dangerously high levels.

Five people were killed in this week's flooding, which affected mostly the north of England, Lincolnshire and the Midlands.

A flood support centre was set up in Worcester to monitor forecasts and coordinate fire and rescue resources nationwide.

The Met Office said in a statement on its Web site: ''Given that the ground is saturated following recent events, there is potential for further disruption.'' The Environment Agency said drier weather on Wednesday and Thursday could mean flooding would be less severe than earlier in the week.

Fire brigade officers called for a more coordinated rescue service after more than 3,500 people were saved since Monday in what they said was Britain's biggest peacetime rescue effort.

REUTERS SBC VV1547