Spectators run from Severn Bore

The bore flooded surrounding roads and countryside

The Severn Bore has surged along the river through Gloucestershire flooding surrounding countryside.

The wave is caused by the incoming tide being funnelled up the narrow Severn Estuary, which has the second highest tide anywhere in the world.

Some spectators at Stonebench ran for their cars due to a wall of water.

The bore reached a "three star" level. A second is expected at 1805 GMT at Over Bridge. A more powerful four-star bore will pass on Thursday at 1020 GMT.

Derek Brown, of Gloucester City Council, said: "We have had some appalling weather over the past few weeks and the ground is saturated. The river is also full to bursting.

Incoming tide

"When the additional high tide arrives with the bore it will almost certainly spill over on to local fields creating potentially dangerous situations.

"Spectators could easily find themselves cut off."

He said the bore often attracted large crowds.

"It can be very tempting to want to get up close and personal with the action, but I would urge visitors to watch from known safety vantage points like bridges and to seek local advice."

Good places to view the Bore are at Stonebench and Over Bridge.

Differences between the lowest and highest tide in one day can be as much as 47.5ft (14.5m).