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A SEVERE flood warning has been issued for a Hampshire community today.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued its most serious warning, meaning there is a risk to life, for Lymington this evening.

The organisation says high tides and strong winds from 11pm onwards will pose a risk to homes near to the coastline.

Water levels will be near the top of the sea walls, causing some waves to crash over the defences.

Riverside areas in Lymington, Lower Pennington and Keyhaven are all considered at risk, although the EA says flood defences should be able to protect “most properties”.

Homes in Town Slip, Lymington, are seen as the most vulnerable, and the EA has warned that water levels could be as much as half-a-metre deep if their pumping efforts fail.

EA staff and firefighters will all man the defences this evening, attempting to pump out water.

The gate over the toll bridge will also be closed to stop water flowing down Waterloo Road.

Anyone with concerns should contact the EA's floodline on 0845 9881188, selecting option one.

While there have been a number of warnings for Lymington over the past two months, this is the most serious issued by the EA.