A RESIDENT walking his dog received an unexpected surprise this morning when he came across a lorry and its driver stuck in flood water.

Berny Male, a resident of Severn Stoke, was on his way to walk his dog when he saw the lorry tilting to its side with the driver trapped in the cabin.

The lorry was stuck in floodwater - which poured over some Worcestershire roads after Storm Babet brought heavy rain causing flash flooding and river levels to rise and burst their banks.

Worcester News: The driver can be seen trapped in the lorry.The driver can be seen trapped in the lorry. (Image: Berny Male)The lorry is stuck on Church Lane, which is a narrow country road which links to the village pub, The Rose and Crown.

The lorry remains stuck in the flood water.

Mr Male said: "I have been down my garden, and he is still sat in the cabin.

"He keeps starting up the lorry from time to time to try and move it."

Severn Stoke is a village which is repeatedly hit by flooding year after year and, despite promises of £1.8 million flood defences being installed, the village is still without them. 

The village's flood defence scheme has been put on hold until next spring because of costs, while some of the bund material already on site may not be suitable for the work.  

Great crested newts were also found near the site on the A38, which has caused further delays due to them being a protected species. 

Cllr David Harrison said residents are being careful in the area and have parked their cars on the A38 away from the flood water. 

He added his colleague John Micheal has been out to the area twice a day to speak to residents about their needs and any issues.

"All I know is that the newts will need to be captured before doing anything, but now the area is underwater.

"So, in terms of where the newts are is unknown."

He said it is good news that the water will peak today, meaning it will hopefully not flood the village any more. 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We can confirm that earthworks on the Severn Stoke Flood scheme have been put on hold until the Spring of 2024.

“This is because we have not been able to agree on an affordable price with a contractor yet. However, we want to reassure residents that we are exploring all options to deliver the scheme."