Flood damaged homes to get £1,000

Your pictures of Friday's flooding In pictures

Environment Minister Arlene Foster has announced an immediate payment of £1,000 to each household seriously damaged by the flooding on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as persistent rain causes further flooding in parts of Northern Ireland, especially the Ards Peninsula.

The Met Office has warned of more heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, with the risk of localised flooding.

It is forecast that further rain will continue into the weekend.

Central and local government officials met on Friday morning to determine how a fund of up to £5m announced on Thursday to aid flood victims was to be spent.

Nice weather for ducks in Ward Park, Bangor (taken by Jonathan Barr)

Mrs Foster said: "I have advised councils to complete their assessments of the most urgent needs over the weekend, and to make payments available from Monday.

"Many householders have already contacted their local councils but those who have not and consider they might be eligible should do so as soon as possible about flood damage to their homes".

Saintfield and Crossgar have been very badly hit as a result of Friday's flooding. About six shops in the centre of Crossgar have been flooded.

Shop owner John Colgan said the water was beginning to mix with sewage.

NI weather forecast

Mr Colgan said the emergency services were trying to pump the water away from Downpatrick Street and into the River Kilmore.

"This is the worst flooding I have seen in the area in my lifetime," he said.

"The pavements are completely covered in water and there is no way people can get about."

Police have advised drivers to slow down and use dipped headlights as heavy rain is causing difficult driving conditions across Northern Ireland.