MAPPED: the flood alerts across Greater Manchester ahead of New Year's Eve downpours

Flood alerts have been issued all across Greater Manchester amid a New Year's Eve deluge which is forecast to deliver up to 10cm of rainfall.

The Environment Agency has published four separate 'flood alerts' covering the county, following a Met Office 'yellow' alert covering a large part of the north west and north Wales which warns some exposed areas could be hit by up to 10cm of rain and winds up to 60mph.

The Met Office is warning that 'heavy rain is likely to lead to disruption' with 'a chance of flooding in some locations'.

The Environment Agency has now published a series flood alerts, four of them in Greater Manchester. One alert covering the River Mersey and associated tributaries warns of rising water levels overnight which 'may lead to flooding'.

Flooding is possible particularly around low lying land and roads around Micker, Cringle, Sinderland and Poynton brooks and their tributaries, according to the Environment Agency.

It adds: "Further flooding is possible overnight as river levels are expected to remain high due to heavy rainfall. We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and checking flood defences. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses."

This alert also affects Stretford, Gatley, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Eccles, Salford, Sale and Urmston, according to the map produced by the agency.

A second flood alert has been issued which covers the River Irwell and a catchment area which includes parts of Salford, Swinton and parts of central, north and east Manchester.

This alert warns 'flooding is possible' and it goes on: "Areas most at risk include low lying land and roads around the Rivers Irk and Medlock, Wince and Worsley Brooks and their tributaries. Flooding is forecast to