HOUSEHOLDERS in Hampshire are bracing themselves for yet more flooding over the weekend - and there are dire predictions of worse to come.

Flood warnings are in force on the Rivers Test and Itchen and a number of homes are expected to be flooded as waters continue to rise in parts of Romsey and Winchester, and in villages on the River Meon and River Wallington, near Fareham.

Test Valley council workers have already handed out 4,000 sandbags to residents in the Romsey area.

The Environment Agency is fearing the worst as the Test and the Itchen reach their highest levels since records began in 1958, following double the average autumn rainfall in Hampshire.

Rod Murchie, the agency's area resources manager, said: "Unfortunately there is more heavy rain forecast for Monday and the water table is already very high indeed.''

Groundwater levels are at similar levels to February 1995, when the Test and Itchen Valleys were hit by flooding.

"The worry now is that groundwater levels are reaching similar levels and it is only early December," he said.

"They normally peak in February and March and we fear extensive groundwater flooding in both valleys over the next few months. If this type of flooding does occur, it will last for weeks."

A plan issued by the agency to Test Valley council gives a one in eight chance of extensive flooding in Romsey this winter.

That would see 1,400 homes flooded in an area stretching from the Romsey Bypass to the Hundred, the Plaza and Cupernham Lane.

Test Valley's head of technical services Terry Gilmour said: "We have had a meeting with county emergency planning officers and we believe we are fully prepared to evacuate residents from Romsey should the flooding become severe.

"But everyone in the at-risk areas of Romsey should have a contingency plan and should start thinking about moving their furniture upstairs and contacting their relatives so they have somewhere to stay."

Neighbours Phil Rustell and Dorothy Thomas have been cut off by floodwaters after the Mill Stream, part of the River Test, burst its banks in front of their homes in River Mead Close, Romsey, on Thursday night.

Pensioner Mrs Rustell said: "The waters came up during the night, while we were sleeping.

"To my horror, the water had come right up to the bottom step of my front door.

"We have to wade through a foot of flood water to get out of the house both at the front and the back.

"We were left with some sandbags by Test Valley council workers during the last floods in November and we have left them in place. We are not moving our belongings upstairs yet but, if it comes up as far as the front door, we will start moving furniture and belongings."

Flooding hit Winchester with a vengeance as the River Itchen burst its banks and turned one city centre street into a lake. Park Avenue was closed at 10pm on Thursday night when the river reached high levels and left the road 18 inches under water.

A city council spokesman said a full-time team of engineers would be working over the weekend to monitor areas at risk.

The council, which has ordered an extra 4,000 sandbags, has also set up a flood emergency response group.

Chief executive David Cowan said: "The bad weather we are experiencing only occurs about once every 100 years.

"If rivers overflow, then residents should consider obtaining sandbags to prevent water getting into their property."

Anyone concerned about flooding should call the council on 01962 842000.

More than 400 pupils stayed at home yesterday after a stormy blast ripped the roof off their New Forest school and caused more than £50,000 worth of damage. The roof of the upstairs of Orchard Junior School in Dibden Purlieu was completely wrecked at 6am.

Headteacher Bob Carson said: "The whole roof had been ripped away and the rain was just pouring in."

He said the damage had opened up four upstairs classrooms and had also caused water to pour down into four other classrooms on the ground floor.

As well as damaging the building itself, the storm affected children's classwork, wall posters and teachers' work.

Next week, 204 older pupils in Years Five and Six will be at school, but will finish early for Christmas on Friday. The younger children in Years Three and Four have next week off, but will be back for the last three days of term from Monday to Wednesday the following week.

The New Forest has suffered extensive flooding, with the River Avon bursting its banks at Fordingbridge. Brockenhust and Sway have also been badly hit.