HEAVY downpours will continue to rain down on Swindon for the next few days, but not everyone is unhappy about this.

Thames Water, the supplier for Swindon, says the showers will help replenish depleted water levels after the driest autumn in more than a century.

Yesterday's rainfall was around 25mm which is not exceptional according to the Met Office. But the figure for the whole of November was 119mm, which is 183 per cent of the normal level for that month.

Andrew Boyd, a spokesman for the Thames Water, said the firm had been given permission to take water from the River Thames at Farmoor, west of Oxford, to refill the reservoir there.

He said: "It is certainly a good start to the winter.

"We would like to see rain continue through to December although people won't thank us for saying that."

Met Office spokeswoman Sancha Tetlow, said: "There is more heavy rain in the next couple of days. It will be more showers rather than a prolonged downpour."

Insp Ian Bamber, from Swindon Police, said no roads were closed in Swindon due to flooding but he had some advice for motorists.

"As in any adverse weather conditions, driver should slow down and drive at a speed that is appropriate to those conditions," he said.

"Make sure your vehicle is in good condition, that the brakes work and only make the journey if it is essential."