RED flags have been put up on a beach as a warning to people not to swim.

Brighton and Hove City Council said red flags are flying on two stretches of beach in Hove and urged people not to take to the water.

While red and yellow flags on beaches indicate a lifeguarded area, red flags indicate danger and people should not venture into the water under any circumstances when a red flag is flying.

The council said in a tweet this afternoon: "Red flags are flying on two stretches of beach in Hove today, warning people not to swim.

"Extra rain water has been discharged from the drains through outfall pipes following the heavy rainfall.

"We hope to be able to take our red flags down this evening or tomorrow."

It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain across England until midnight tonight, with heavy showers expected from 6pm in Brighton and Hove.