More than 7,000 sandbags have been handed out to flood victims braced for more rain tonight in Mole Valley.

An earlier weather forecast for tomorrow morning has changed and the sun is now expected to come out in Leatherhead.

The Met Office’s severe rain warning is set end at 6am.

A flood alert remains in force for the River Mole where river levels fell to expected levels in most locations but the ground remains saturated.

Surrey County Council (SCC) and Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) have deployed 21 skips to flood-hit communities in Leatherhead, Brockham, Fetcham, Mickleham and Pixham.

Councillor Chris Townsend, council leader of MVDC, said: “As flooding remains a concern in the New Year, our co-ordinated response continues, and our thoughts are very much with those who have been affected.

“Staff and councillors are working closely with the local communities to support people as they deal with the flooding issues.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said they have worked with partners to support communities and their staff are still going out to minimise flood risks.

He said: “In the Leatherhead area, this will involve checking the river for blockages, particularly around road bridges.

“Flood ambassadors visited Leatherhead over the Christmas period, starting on Christmas Eve, and over the recent flooding we have confirmed reports of 12 properties flooding in Leatherhead.”

Eight evacuees from Leatherhead took refuge at a rest centre manned by MVDC and SCC adult social care staff at the Fairfield Centre on Christmas Eve.

River levels downstream of Leatherhead in the Esher area are likely to have been at their highest since the flood of 1968.

At 1.15pm the level of the River Mole stood at 2.61 metres, down from 2.79 metres at 7.15am. It remained above the 2.4 metre level when flooding becomes possible.

Visit www.molevalley.gov.uk or follow @MoleValleyDC on Twitter.

Check flood alerts at www.environment-agency.gov.uk. For more information call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 173490.