Two flood warnings have been issued in the Southampton area as Storm Nelson hit the region on Thursday.

Experts at the Environment Agency warned that access to Beaulieu will be "difficult" to get to on Thursday, whilst the level of the River Itchen in Mansbridge will be high this afternoon.

This comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind in Southampton and much of Hampshire.

The weather warning is in place until 11.59pm, Thursday night (March 28).

The Environment Agency has warned that this afternoon’s tide is higher than normal due to the adverse weather conditions.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said about the flood warning in Beaulieu: “A flood warning has been issued. Thursday afternoon’s tide is higher than normal due to unsettled weather with strong southerly force 6 winds.

“The weather increases tide table values by 0.91m. The total forecast tide is 3.63m Chart Datum (the water level surface serving as origin of depth displayed on a nautical chart and for reporting and predicting tide heights) at Beaulieu.”

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With heavy winds and an increased risk of flooding, the Environment Agency has warned motorists to drive slowly through Beaulieu as a result.

They added: “Access to the village will be temporarily difficult – we will continue to monitor the forecast.

“To reduce flood risk to property, please drive slowly through Beaulieu, avoiding it completely if possible.”

The Environment Agency has also issued a further flood warning for Mansbridge and Woodmill on the River Itchen.

As it is high tide in Southampton, the amount of river water that can drain to the sea if being restricted.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency went on to say: “As river flows will continue to increase there is a continued risk of flooding on each elevated spring tide into the weekend.

“To help lower water levels in the river, we have operated the sluices at Woodmill.”

Heavy winds are expected throughout the day before easing going into the weekend, though intermittent rainfall is likely.

In both areas flooding is expected and residents have been told to 'act now'.

Meanwhile, a less serious flood alert, which says flooding is possible, has been issued for coastal areas of the Southampton Water and River Hamble until 6pm, as well as the Lower Test through Romsey, and River Blackwater through Ower.