Widespread flood warnings have been issued for much of Kent with residents told to stay away from the coast due to high tides.

The Environment Agency (EA) sounded the alarm for east and west parts of the county ahead of “expected large waves and sea spray (which could) be dangerous.”

Groundwater levels have risen following recent higher-than-average rainfall and are expected to remain high until spring.

The flood warnings come as the dormant Alkham Bourne and Nailbourne rivers between Lyminge and Littlebourne are flowing, the latter of which has been monitored since December.

An EA statement said: “Flows in the Little Stour between Littlebourne and Stourmouth have increased over the past month.

“Localised flooding may affect low-lying land, roads, and water infrastructure in and around the Elham Valley, Alkham, and Petham.

“Other communities in east Kent may also be impacted. Please avoid walking or driving through flood water.

“The forecast is dry for the next five days before potentially turning unsettled again next week.

“We are monitoring the situation and are working with local authorities and communities with the deployment of temporary defences, such as Canterbury City Council’s temporary defences in Barham. Our staff are maintaining and clearing key structures.”

Meanwhile, flood warnings have been issued across the Kent coastline, ranging from Dartford to Kingsdown.

A flood warning is in force near the River Medway and Medway estuary, with areas at risk of flooding including Aylesford, Larkfield, Wouldham, the Medway towns, Upnor, Hoo and Lower Halstow.

A separate alert has been issued for the Isle of Sheppey and the coast between Kemsley and Seasalter.

Areas at risk of coastal flooding include Sheerness, Minster, Queenborough, Leysdown on Sea, Sittingbourne and Faversham.

Other prone areas stretch from Whitstable to Margate, including Herne Bay, Reculver, Marshside, Saint Nicholas at Wade, Birchington and Westgate-on-Sea.

An alert is also in force from Dartford to Allhallows, which includes Crayford, Greenhithe, Northfleet, Gravesend and the North Kent Marshes.

The warnings have been issued due to the high tide forecast at 3.15pm today and tides are expected to be higher than usual.

Flooding is expected to affect locations between 1.15pm and 5.15pm.

The EA added: “After this tide‚ the weather is more settled and no further impacts are expected.

“However, we will continue to monitor the forecast and re-issue this warning if necessary.

Please start acting on your flood plan if you have one, and stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as the expected large waves and sea spray will be dangerous.”

High spring tides are expected to affect the foreshore from Ramsgate to Kingsdown.

Tides will be at their highest between 12.45pm and 2.45pm today.

The EA says flooding to roads and low-lying land is expected at these times along this section of the coast but conditions may apply two to four hours on either side of the high tide.