GLASGOW was today braced for more flood chaos after a day of disruption led to homes being evacuated and major travel problems.

More than 30 flood warnings were in place across Scotland last night as rain continued to batter communities.

Several roads were closed or partially shut because of flood water, which was particularly bad in the south of Glasgow, as well as parts of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire.

There are fears that the rain will continue to cause major problems in the lead up to the new year, though forecasters said there would be some respite, with dry spells today, including at midnight.

The Met Office issued a 'be aware' warning - which lasts until midday - for rain in the Strathclyde area.

From around 5pm yesterday drivers at Silverburn Shopp-ing Centre, in the South Side, were held up after an M77 slip road was closed south-bound at B762 due to flooding.

Motorists were trapped in the centre's car park, while people travelling there were told they would face a three-hour wait to get in.

The centre tweeted: "We are working hard to get all customers out our car parks as quickly and safely as possible we appreciate your patience."

Earlier, homes were evacuated after flooding in East Ayrshire. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said eight people were evacuated in Mansefield Road, and seven from the Leggate, both in New Cumnock. The A76 in the town was blocked.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended 140 incidents in the Strathclyde and Dumfries and Galloway areas.

A SPOKESMAN said that crews used sand bags to prevent flooding in Carmyle, Glasgow.

Flooding also closed the A72 after the River Clyde burst its banks at Rosebank. A warning was in place for the South Lanarkshire village last night, as well as for Pollok Park.

And train passengers were hit by delays. From 2pm yest-erday, services between Edin-burgh and Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High were reduced to half-hourly from 2pm, due to flooding between Linlithgow and Haymarket.

SERVICES between Glasgow Central and Carlisle via Dumfries were affected from 10am to 4pm due to flooding in Kirkconnel. Buses were being used instead.

Met Office forecaster Dave Clark said the rain eased later but added: "There is another band of rain moving to the west coast from around 6am. It is a narrow band but it doesn't take much to build on what we have already got"

The west of Scotland will have dry spells with showers today and temperatures of 4C for the New Year bells.

Helen Chivers, of the Met Office, said: "It will be dry at midnight but it will feel cold."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk