Coastal communities are being warned of the risk of flooding today due to a combination of gusty winds and high tides.

Flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency for vast swathes of the north Kent coast, stretching from Dartford past the Medway and Isle of Sheppey to Margate.

People are being urged to take extra care on beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and seaside roads as large waves and sea spray could prove dangerous.

Yesterday Canterbury City Council took the precautionary measure of closing floodgates in Whitstable and Herne Bay in anticipation of today's high tide, which is expected to peak at around 3.30pm.

A statement on the council website said: "Our staff will be out monitoring the high tide tomorrow afternoon and operating the sluice gates on the coastal brooks to stop the sea flooding inland."

The Environment Agency has said the risk of flooding will be at its greatest for two hours either side of the peak tide.

Areas of concern identified in the warnings issued this morning include Royal Pier Road in Gravesend, Upnor, Canal Road in Strood, Seasalter, Faversham and Conyer.

Agency incident response staff are checking defences and structures and are prepared to respond if required. Higher than normal tides are also expected in the next three days.

Much of the county woke up to grey skies this morning, as the bank holiday sunshine gave way to lower temperatures and increasingly strong winds from the north east.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here

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