Part of the A466 will be closed as the River Wye reaches high tide at Tintern today and tomorrow.

The road is being closed for about 20 minutes before and 20 minutes after the tide reaches its peak – at 9am and 9.26pm today (Friday 3rd January) and 9.47am and 10.12pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Roger Hoggins, Monmouthshire County Council's head of operations said: "The predicted tides are high but below what would normally result in property flooding.

"However, the combination of high tides, flood water, high winds and forecasted tidal surge in the Severn, together with low pressure, means that properties may be at risk of flood.

"Therefore, on Friday morning we will be sandbagging vulnerable properties prior to closing the road."

Because the closure is scheduled for a relatively short period no diversions will be signed – in line with a longstanding system.

Council lorries will be placed just north of the Royal George Hotel and by the Wye Valley Hotel to block the road while the closure is in effect.

The weather forecast for Friday indicates further persistent heavy rain and high winds coinciding with Friday and Saturday's high tides.