A FLOOD alert has been issued ahead of Storm Brian.

Higher than normal tides are expected along the Mersey this afternoon, with flooding of low lying land possible.

The area around Fiddlers Ferry has been placed under flood alert, with high tide expected between 1.30pm and 2.15pm.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “People are advised to stay away from risk areas and take care around locations adjacent to the Mersey estuary.

“We will continue to monitor the situation.”