Around 600 people have been evacuated from homes in Hawick over renewed flooding fears.

The heavy rain caused by Storm Jonas on Tuesday significantly raised river levels in the Borders just weeks after major flooding caused by storms Desmond and Frank.

Borders Council evacuated around 300 people from properties close to the banks of the River Teviot on Wednesday morning.

Sepa raised the flood warning to "severe" but the river level was understood to have peaked by Wednesday afternoon.

Routes around Hawick and Jedburgh have been badly affected by standing water and police have urged motorists to avoid driving in the areas if possible.

Footbridges in Hawick were also completely closed and firefighters had to rescue a bus driver caught in flood water on the B6405 near Hawick.

The Slitrig water, a tributary of the River Teviot, was reported to have reached its highest ever level.

Borders Council opened its Emergency Planning Bunker on Wednesday morning to deal with the impact of heavy rain in the area.

A multi-agency team coordinated the response to the incident and set up emergency rest centres in Hawick and Jedburgh.

Pupils at Trinity Primary School in Hawick were relocated to Teviot Leisure Centre during Wednesday morning and Teviot Health Centre was also temporarily closed however it was reopened later in the day.

Further rain is expected on Wednesday night with Met Office yellow warnings in place for Thursday and Friday.

The Borders Water Rescue Team is on formal Police Scotland standby to assist in ‪Hawick‬,‪ Peebles‬ and ‪Jedburgh‬.

The Met Office said: "Scattered, wintry showers are expected across Scotland this evening and overnight, and with road temperatures often falling below freezing there is the risk of some icy patches developing. These showers will also bring some snow accumulations above 150-200m, with some temporary wet snow to lower levels. Please be aware of the risk of some difficult driving conditions and localised disruption to travel."

Environment minister Aileen McLeod has encouraged people to continue checking local forecasts as two severe flood warnings for Hawick and Jedburgh have been issued.

As the wintry weather conditions continue, Dr McLeod said members of the public should remain alert to the threat of flooding.

She said: “We have seen some areas of very localised flooding in Scotland as a result of persistent and heavy rain overnight. As the clear-up from recent rainfall continues, further rain is forecast with severe flood warnings in the Borders.

“The Scottish Government is continuing to work with local authorities and the emergency services to coordinate a multi-agency response."