AS gales and heavy rain continue to hit Cumbria, the county has been issued with another weather warning as forecasters predict ice and wintry showers for tonight.

The Met Office said there was an increased risk of icy stretches from the early hours of Sunday morning, especially on higher routes.

It comes as some South Lakeland roads became impassable due to flooding as heavy overnight rain continued into Saturday and the county's rivers were put on alert.

The A5074 Kendal Road, Bowness, is closed in both directions between St Martin's Place and the Back Belsfield Road junction and drivers are being diverted via Long Tail Road.

In Grange-over-Sands, Kirkhead Road was shut for several hours after a tree fell into the street, taking with it a large brick wall.

Between 60 and 80mm of rain had been expected to fall in Cumbria yesterday and today.

Giving an update about tonight's forecast, a Met Office spokesman said: "Showers will cause wash-off of salt, so even previously treated roads are at risk.

"As the air turns colder the showers will also become wintry at times with the risk of a few cm of snow mainly on ground above 300m.

"The public should be aware of possible hazards due to the ice.

"A spell of wet and very windy weather will affect the whole of the UK later on Sunday and for a time on Monday.

"Some western regions can expect a period of persistent heavy rain, particularly over high ground, and the public should be aware of possible disruption, particularly to travel, and also of the potential for localised flooding.

"The heaviest rain is expected to clear eastwards and winds will gradually ease from the west during the afternoon."

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for the rivers Kent, Bela, Brathay, Rothay, Winster, Lower Eden, Middle Eden, Upper Eden, the Upper Derwent and Derwentwater.

An alert for the River Lune, Rawthey and watercourses from Tebay to Kirkby Lonsdale, including Sedbergh and Killington, was in force before being lifted on Saturday night.

A flood alert means flooding is possible on low lying roads and land.

A higher 'flood warning' has been issued for Keswick Campsite, where flooding is expected and people are urged to take immediate action.

Great Dun Fell in Cumbria was one of the windiest places in the UK on Friday, recording 97mph.

Since records began in 1910, 2012 stands to be the UK's third wettest year.