EXPERTS are monitoring weather forecasts after warnings that expected high tides could cause floods in low-lying coastal areas in East Anglia next week.

EXPERTS are monitoring weather forecasts after warnings that expected high tides could cause floods in low-lying coastal areas in East Anglia next week.

The Environment Agency said "higher than normal" seasonal levels were expected on Saturday and Monday.

And officials said storms during high tides could cause problems in low-lying coastal areas in Suffolk and Essex.

“The tides will only be around four centimetres higher than normal for this time of year,” said an agency spokesman.

“Flood defences are designed to take account of this and we are not currently expecting any problems.

“But if there are unusually severe weather conditions at the same time as these high tides there could be a greater chance of flooding.”

He added: “We are only likely to experience problems if the high tides happen at the same time as adverse weather like strong winds, storm surge and waves, associated with a low-pressure weather system.

“The high tides should pass with no consequences. But at this stage, we can't say whether there will definitely be no flooding.

“If the worst happens, the Environment Agency and emergency services will initiate tried and tested procedures.”

He said officials would aim to predict floods and warn local residents.

John Law, a forecaster with WeatherQuest, said: “On Saturday we are likely to have brisk winds but they will be south or south easterly so they will be in the wrong direction to cause any damage.

“It's not going to be calm but it should not lead to any flooding problems.”