IN PICTURES: Flooding hits Bridport after rivers burst banks

These aerial pictures by James Loveridge show flooded fields at North Mills, St Mary's Field, as well as West Bay.

Click here to see all the pictures in our flood gallery.

Flood warnings were earlier issued by the Environment Agency, covering the River Brit in Bridport, the River Char in Charmouth and Southgate Old Mill in Beaminster.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Overnight rainfall of up to 15mm in three hours has caused river levels to respond and a flood warning has been issued. 

“Conditions are forecast to remain unsettled for today with further heavy showers. River levels may continue to respond.”

A flood alert, where flooding is possible, has been issued on the rivers Lim, Char, Winniford, Simene, Brit, Asker, Mangerton and Bride.

The Riverside Restaurant, West Bay Picture: James Loveridge

Firefighters were called to help with flooding at a property along Pine View this morning.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene at 9.11am,

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, said: "Two crews from Bridport attended internal flooding on Pine View, while the local authority also assisted with sandbags.”

Woodswater Lane in Beaminster has also been closed by police after the River Brit overflowed.

Dorset County Council are assisting residents and issuing sandbags.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of problems in the area and officers are looking in to what can be done to help. 

"We had a lot of rain over night and the area suffers from a large amount of run of from the surrounding hills. 

"We will ensure that are systems our working to their maximum capacity but any long term solution will need the assistance of the neighbouring land owners. 

Fields at North Mills. Picture: James Loveridge

"We will provide sand bags if highway water is directly affecting property but in emergency situations involving more widespread flooding the District council will also help."