A flood alert is in place for the River Thames in Richmond.

Water levels reached so high over the weekend that a canoeist was spotted paddling along the flooded pavement on riverside.

The water came right up to the grassy banks and moored boats were semi-submerged.

HIgh tide today (Monday, October 19) is at 5.30pm, the Environment Agency said.

Flood warning

"River levels are expected to be high as a result of spring tides," the agency said.

"The forecast high tide at Richmond will be 4.70m at 5.15am and 4.72m at 5.30pm on 19/10/20.

"Flooding of low-lying roads and footpaths is expected, which may exist for one to two hours either side of high tide.

"Flooding of properties is not expected.

"We believe there is a possibility of flooding for: Putney Embankment (SW15), Chiswick Mall and Strand on the Green (W4), Thames Bank at Mortlake (SW14), Ranelagh Drive (TW1), Friars Lane and Water Lane (TW9), Riverside and The Embankment at Twickenham, and the Towpath below Teddington Lock.

"Astronomical tide levels peak on Monday afternoon.

"The river flow at Teddington Weir is low for this time of year at 45 cubic metres per second and is falling slowly.

"We anticipate the flows to remain low for the next few days. We are closely monitoring the situation."