The rare phenomenon of sun, earth and moon alignment expected for the first time in 18 years

The rare phenomenon of alignment of sun, earth and moon will take place for the first time in 18 years and has sparked 10 flood warnings and 44 flood alerts.

Rare 'supertides' have triggered flood alerts across Britain.

Flood warnings across the country, with the phenomenon set to strike for the first time in 18 years.

Supertides are caused by a rare alignment of the moon, the sun and the earth.

The Environment Agency has issued 10 flood warnings and 44 flood alerts, mainly in coastal areas.

Most at risk are parts of the River Wye estuary in Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, and north-east of England.

A spokesman said: "High tides will peak on Tuesday bringing a risk of minor localised flooding around the Wye estuary in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, along with parts of the Yorkshire coast.

"Localised disruption to travel and some flooding of low-lying land and individual properties is possible.

"We urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades and not to drive through flood water."

"The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely alongside the Met Office and will issue further flood updates and warnings if required."

The tides themselves do not lead to flooding but they can when they coincide with periods of low pressure and strong winds.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has defended its inaccurate predictions for a hot, dry summer.

Coastal flooding has already hit areas such as Brighton this summer in one of the wettest Augusts since records again.

Chief scientist Professor Dame Julia Slingo said: "No-one can deny that we have had a pretty disappointing summer with a lot of unsettled weather and only a few warm spells, especially through July and August.

"Seasonal forecasts for this summer suggested that temperatures and rainfall would be near normal. However, as the season progressed all the leading models around the world failed to capture the signal for unsettled weather over the UK.