Fiskerton residents told to leave homes due to risk of river breach

Dozens of people are being advised to leave their homes over concerns about the stability of a nearby river bank.

The Environment Agency said about 70 homes in Fiskerton, near Lincoln, were at risk after damage was found along a 30m (98.4ft) stretch of the River Witham.

An information centre has been set up in the village hall.

Across Lincolnshire more than 150 properties have been flooded by the heavy rain brought by Storm Babet.

Leigh Edlin, the Environment Agency's Lincolnshire area director, said while river levels were now peaking in many areas, concerns remained in Fiskerton due to risk of the bank collapsing.

"This is our concern, and if that happens it would obviously release flood water into the surrounding area," he said.

He said the dry face of the bank had slipped, possibly as a result of it becoming saturated with water.

"It is still holding the river water in," he added.

Hundreds of acres of farmland are currently underwater either side of the River Witham.

Fiskerton resident Mike Snaith said he was concerned about the situation.

"If the bank bursts it will flood - I'm hoping it doesn't, but the way the bank is subsiding I don't know."

Another resident said it was "quite scary".

The Environment Agency said it expected to provide further updates on Thursday.

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