HAMPSHIRE was today bracing itself for yet another deluge today with a severe weather warning from forecasters.

Almost two inches (up to 40mm) of rain is predicted to fall across the county with a risk of localised flooding.

With only occasional showers yesterday there were hopes the south would escape the dismal weather experienced in the north of England.

But the Met Office last night issued its second severe amber weather alert of the week for Hampshire, warning of further torrential downfalls throughout today.

The first warning came on Monday when rain and wind gusting up to 60mph lashed coastal areas of the county causing chaos on busy roads at rush hour.

The stormy weather affected the holiday plans of hundreds of cruise passengers when high winds and bad weather forced the ship Black Watch to divert from Dover, where she was unable to berth, to Southampton yesterday.

The Fred Olsen Cruise Liner was at the end of a 13- night voyage to the Baltic which began in Alborg, Denmark.

Passengers were transferred to Dover on a fleet of coaches.

A spokesman for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said Black Watch was diverted due to “high winds and stormy conditions” at Dover.

He said coaches were also used to transport embarking guests from Dover to Southampton.

Following her departure from Southampton the ship’s next port of call is due to be Almeria, Spain, where she should arrive on Saturday.