River levels still high in county

Caroline O'Connell said the water in Longworth Avenue was "waist high"

Water levels remain high in Berkshire and there have been some reports of properties flooding, the Environment Agency said.

A flood warning remains in force for Purley, Pangbourne and Mapledurham.

Caversham, Wargrave and Shiplake also remain "at risk with some properties expected to flood". Reading's water levels have reportedly "stabilised".

The agency expects properties in Henley to flood but believes the levels may be lower than in December 2000.

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council said on Wednesday night: "Water levels have stabilised.

"They are expecting to rise tomorrow but not substantially."

Meanwhile, flood warnings remain in place for Cookham in Maidenhead, Datchet in Slough and Wraysbury.

There could be flooding of some properties Environment Agency

A spokesman for the agency said: "The flood warning for the River Loddon from Winnersh [in Berkshire] to the River Thames has been downgraded to a flood watch."

On Wednesday morning, roads were flooded in the county after levels in the Thames rose by about 1ft (0.3m).

The agency believes the Thames is not likely to peak in Caversham and Reading until about midnight.

Reading Borough Council said river levels are unlikely to rise more than 1ft (0.3m), and the Kennet, Lambourn and Loddon areas are not expected to flood.

'Be prepared'

Tim Abbott, of the Environment Agency, said: "There could be flooding of some properties.

"Levels in Reading, however, are not expected to be anything like we have had in Oxfordshire.

"At the moment it is looking like any flooding will not be as bad as in 2003.

"Flood warnings have been in place in the area for a couple of days now so people should be prepared."

Hooman Pession took this photo of the Thames Path near Reading

In Pangbourne, where 400 homes were hit by flooding at the weekend, residents were building up sandbag defences as a precaution against rising water levels.

Meanwhile, West Berkshire Council has warned its residents to beware of bogus callers following reports of people posing as "council environmental health officers" knocking on doors in the Thatcham area and asking for access to check on contamination.

Sandbags have also been stacked on the doorsteps of most low-lying houses in Purley.

Reading Borough Council said a further 8,000 sand bags had been distributed during Tuesday, bringing the total to 14,000 over the past two days.

In a statement, Reading Borough Council said: "Residents and businesses in affected areas are strongly advised to take all possible precautions against flooding now.

"It is expected that there will be disruption to travel over the next few days so plan your journey carefully and avoid all unnecessary travel in the area."

Schools in the town started their summer holidays early with most breaking up on Monday to avoid the flooding.