Flooding alert in Venice

01/12/08 13:50 CET

Italy

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Venice is on high flood alert with water reaching its highest level in more than 20 years.

Strong winds are said to be behind a surge in sea levels.

Officials say high tide at noon reached 1.56 metres, the highest since 1986.

Venice often experiences high water in autumn and winter, causing flooding in its narrow streets and squares.

Work has already begun on a complex system to try to avert flooding in the city, which is built on hundreds of small islands.