WATER levels are dropping in Winchester city centre after a weekend with relatively little rain.

The artificial lake in Park Avenue created by two metal barriers has been pumped dry and levels have also fallen in Water Lane.

But there remains widespread disruption across the district with properties flooded in many villages including King’s Somborne and Hursley, largely due to rising groundwater.

Over the weekend Royal Navy ratings helped fill 30,000 sandbags at a Micheldever depot for use across the district.

Several roads are closed including the A272 at Bramdean, Springvale Road in Headbourne Worthy and at Owslebury Bottom.

It seems nowhere is unaffected even the Brooks Shopping Centre this morning has sandbags in place at its entrance on Middle Brook Street.