AN AMBER 'be prepared' warning for flooding has been issued for the area surrounding the River Usk.

The Chepstow Coastguard team which covers rivers including the Severn, Wye, Usk & Ebbw and the Severn Estuary posted the warning on their official Twitter account.

An area ranging from Usk down to Newport is forecast to be affected as Storm Erik approaches, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

Natural Resources Wales said in a statement on their website: "At 2:00 PM, the [water] level at Brecon was 2.1 metres and falling.

"A peak level of 2.3 metres occurred at 1:00 PM today.

"The level at Abergavenny was 3.0 metres and rising. The level at Usk Town was 1.6 metres and rising."

They went on to say that updates will be posted as and when they become apparent.