FLOODING is expected this week and in October due to exceptionally high tides rolling up the Mersey.

The September 8 tide will be the highest for 20 years, and the highest of the autumn will be on October 9. Both will be around 10cm higher than usual.

If the tides combine with one of the half metre storm surges that are quite commonly found in the Irish Sea, it would produce widespread flooding on a level like that seen in March.

And, if it combined with an especially nasty storm, it could create widespread flooding in vulnerable areas like Latchford or Howley.

The tides are the result of an unusually close alignment of the sun and moon.

The March 30 flooding occurred at several high-risk locations including The Ferry Tavern in Penketh and Victoria Park in Latchford.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Some minor flooding is quite likely at the usual roads and causeways but unless there is a nasty storm surge that coincides with the high tides, widespread flooding is no more likely than it is at the highest spring tides every year."

The agency is working on two long-term flood protection plans for Warrington.

The spokesman added: "The first is a strategic assessment of flood risk management in Warrington concentrating on the Mersey and its tributaries.

"We hope to have a plan in April 2007, which will explain how we want to manage flood risk in the areas over the next 100 years. The second is a scheme for Sankey Brook. We are currently working on a project appraisal report, which will include preliminary designs.

"The report is expected to be complete in April 2008."