City floodgates shut over warning

The highest predicted tide of about 17ft (5.1m) will be on Sunday

Portsmouth is preparing for possible flooding this weekend after the Environment Agency issued a warning.

The high spring tides and a full moon have led the agency to issue a Flood Watch for Portsea Island, Hayling Island and the Milford to Calshot area.

Five of Portsmouth's floodgates are being closed, and council staff will be delivering leaflets to homes at risk.

A council spokeswoman said: "Even if we get a tidal surge I fully expect our floodgates to cope with it."

Low pressure and poor weather could increase the tidal surge Caroline Barford

There will be nine high tides in Old Portsmouth for the five-day period of the Flood Watch - between Friday and Tuesday.

The highest predicted tide of about 17ft (5.1m) will be at 1248 BST on Sunday.

Caroline Barford, an engineer for the council's coastal protection team, said: "Low pressure and poor weather could increase the tidal surge but the poorest weather is likely on Friday - and the higher tides are predicted on Saturday and Sunday."

She said a team of engineers would monitor each high tide to decide if the other floodgates need to be closed.

Sandbags will be also be available in the "unlikely event that the defences look like they might be breached", Ms Barford said.