A FLOOD alert remains in place for the middle River Roding around Buckhurst Hill, Loughton and Abridge.

The Environment Agency said water levels around Abridge had stopped rising, but would remain high throughout Sunday.

In a statement released this morning, the agency said: "We did not experience as much rainfall overnight as was being expected in forecasts on Saturday evening which has helped the river levels stabilise.

"There are further showers possible during Sunday but no significant rainfall. Heavier rain is currently forecast for Monday."