A STRING of flood warnings and alerts have been sounded for Carlisle and north Cumbria.

The Flood Information Service has put in place two flood warnings and three flood alerts for Carlisle, Keswick and Appleby areas.

Alerts indicate that "flooding is possible - be prepared" - warnings indicate that "flooding is expected - immediate action required".

The warnings and alerts in place include:

WARNING: River Eden at Carlisle, Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses (Carlisle area)

A spokesman said: "River levels have risen at the Linstock river gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall overnight. Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is possible between 9am and 4.30pm today, Sunday December.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying roads, car parks, public spaces and recreational facilities at Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses.

"We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Our incident response staff are checking defences.

"Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

ALERT: Lower River Eden (Carlisle area)

The spokesman said: "River levels have risen overnight at the Linstock river gauge as a result of Storm Bella. Flooding is expected to affect low lying land and roads in the Crosby-on-Eden, Linstock, Carlisle and Rockcliffe areas.

"High river levels are possible on the River Eden, River Caldew, River Petteril, Durranhill Beck, Brunstock Beck, Gosling Sike, Little Caldew, Parham Beck, Rockcliffe Beck and their tributaries.

"We expect river levels to continue rising until 11.00pm on Sunday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Our incident response staff are checking defences. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near rivers.

WARNING: Keswick Campsite

The spokesman said: "Lake levels have risen at the Lodore river gauge as a result of Storm Bella. Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is possible.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying areas bordering the shores of Derwent Water and the frontage of the Keswick Camping and Caravan Club Site.

"Further rainfall is forecast during Sunday and into Monday.

"We expect river and lake levels to remain high for next couple of days.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

ALERT: Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water (Keswick area)

The spokesman said: "River and lake level remains high as a result of Storm Bella.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying land and roads in the Seatoller, Stonethwaite, Rosthwaite, Grange-in-Borrowdale and Derwent Water shoreline areas.

"High river and lake levels are possible on the River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck, Watendlath Beck, Derwent Water and their tributaries.

"We expect lake levels to remain high for the next few days."

ALERT: Upper River Eden (Appleby area)

The spokesman said: "River levels are have risen overnight at the Appleby river gauge as a result of Storm Bella. Rainfall has now eased and levels are forecast to start falling throughout the day Sunday.

"Consequently flooding of roads and farmland is possible.

"Flooding is expected to affect low lying land and roads in the Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Warcop, Great Asby, Great Ormside, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Bolton, Crosby Ravensworth and Morland areas.

"High river levels are possible on the River Eden, Scandal Beck, Swindale Beck, Crooks Beck, Asby Beck, River Lyvennet, Morland Beck and their tributaries.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are checking defences. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near rivers."

The service will provide updates on Monday, or as the situation changes.