14 Dec 2008

Flash floods in UK

7:01 am on 14 December 2008

Torrential rain has caused flash flooding in parts of England, Wales and Scotland.

Somerset, Devon and Dorest were especially badly affected, with the Midlands, Cheshire, and parts of Wales and Scotland also reporting problems.

Train services between London, Bristol and the South West have been disrupted.

The Environment Agency issued 212 flood warnings in England and Wales, with the South West and the Midlands worst hit.

The Devon & Somerset Fire Service said there was up to 18 inches of floodwater in places and it had received hundreds of calls.

Swansea Coastguard reported that a helicopter was deployed to flooded areas in the county.

Persistent rain resulted in the abandonment of the Cheltenham race meeting on Saturday.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Surrey and East and West Sussex.