LIVE updates: Heavy rain hits Manchester with 'act now' flood warnings in place ahead of severe Met Office alert

Heavy rain has started to hit Manchester this afternoon, with new flood warnings in place ahead of a severe Met Office alert over the coming days.

Three yellow weather warnings were already in force over the coming days, across the north west and other parts of the UK, including this afternoon. The Met Office has now issued a more severe amber warning for 'potentially damaging winds' due to strike on Saturday.

Meteorologists have named Storm Darragh, which will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK tomorrow (December 6). However heavy rain hit Greater Manchester on Thursday, bringing increased chance of flooding and delays.

READ MORE Greater Manchester rocked by four stabbings in four days as two men killed and two others in hospital

Currently, there are a number of new flood alerts and warnings in place from the Environment Agency. There is a flooding alert in parts of Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, and Bury, due to rising levels in the River Irwell.

Five further more severe warnings are in place across Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom. Rising levels in the River Irwell and Whitewell Brook have prompted an 'act now' warning.

This is a live blog. Updates below.

Trains to Manchester have been cancelled this evening due to flooding on the lines.

Services between Bolton and Preston are currently being disrupted due to flooding.

Passengers are advised to travel via Wigan where possible.

Northern said: "Northern ticket holders have acceptance on: Northern services between Bolton and Wigan. Avanti and Northern services between Wigan and Preston. Any ticket restrictions have been lifted during this disruption."

A video shared to social media shows St Mary's Way has become flooded in Rawtenstall.

There are multiple flood