Events on hold as rain continues

Events are on hold and homeowners and motorists on high alert today as the West Midlands braced itself for yet more downpours.

More heavy rain is expected across the region throughout the weekend, throwing many planned attractions into chaos.

A wrestling show planned for Dudley town centre has been axed following warnings of severe weather this weekend.

The Future Championship Wrestling event had been due to take place in Stone Square on Saturday, but has now been rescheduled for September 1.

Much of the historic Shugborough Estate, near Stafford, remained under flood water today and while it is still open to the public, bosses said they will be forced to close if the weather worsens.

Earlier in the week a 200-year-old oak tree on the estate toppled in the floods, narrowly missing smashing a 300-year-old monument of national importance.

And the Race for Life event was cancelled this week because the ground was waterlogged.

Rainstorms are set to batter the entire country - and areas already flooded are expected to be the worst hit - with up to an inch and a half predicted. The deluge is expected to start tomorrow morning and barely let up throughout the weekend.

And there is still no sign of summer returning.

Met Office spokeswoman Sancha Lancaster said: "There is an early flood warning for the whole of the UK, including the Black Country and Staffordshire.

"Those areas that have already been hit by the worst of the weather are most likely to suffer problems again."

She said temperatures were unlikely to reach more than 19C (66F) and the deluge could last throughout next week.

But depsite the warnings, many organisers were displaying true British spirit and insisting the show will go on.

A Songs of Praise-style event at Dudley's Himley Hall will still go ahead, with more than 2,000 people set to descend on the stately home's grounds.

Principal leisure officer Sally Piazzalunga said: "Rain never stops play at Himley - we try to deal with it because that's the British weather for you."

Precautions are also in place at Dudley's Black Country Living Museum, where a close eye is being kept on public safety and the narrowboats and barges.

Spokesman Fiona Carding said: "We have people on standby and emergency procedures for all adverse weather conditions.

"The museum is fortunately located on high ground but we have taken a number of precautions such as pumping out the narrowboats to avoid the possibility of them sinking."

Shifnal carnival and Worfield flower festival were still on cue for tomorrow, despite being among the worst hit in the recent downpours.

Sandbags are piling up in the Bridgnorth in preparation for impending floods. The town and its surrounding villages have been among the worst hit by the torrential rain.

Volunteers at Severn Valley railway are still hard at work helping to repair the damage caused when the line between Bewdley and Bridgnorth was damaged in 45 places by landslides caused by flash flooding earlier this week.

Elderly residents of drenched homes in Mill Close, Worfield, spent their third night in the Lea Manor Hotel, Albrighton, last night, where they are seeking refuge.

Eight pensioners had to be evacuated from windows and taken away boat. Meanwhile the Queen has sent a message of support to people in Worcestershire left reeling after their homes were flooded.

She has sent a personal note to those affected through the Lord Lieutenant Michael Brinton. Homes were wrecked in the storms, which also claimed the life of district judge Eric Dickinson.

West Midlands MPs have called for more Government cash to increase flood defences in the region after severe rain storms have caused millions of pounds worth of damage and devastation.

Wolverhampton South West MP Rob Marris said the floods illustrated a need for an urgent debate on measures to adapt to the effects of climate change.

By Becky Sharpe