DIVERS have been called in after a vehicle was found completely submerged in flood water - near where a man telephoned his wife to say his car was being swept away.

A vehicle has been found in Walcot Lane - between Pershore railway station and Drakes Broughton - 24 hours after a man was reported missing.

It is not yet known if it is the green Volvo V70 estate that disappeared yesterday, or if anyone is in the vehicle.

A team of diving experts from Wales are expected at the scene at about 7pm to search and recover the vehicle.

It is believed the motorist - who was alone in the car - was somewhere between Pershore railway station and Drakes Broughton when he raised the alarm at approximately 3.40pm yesterday.

The search - which involved helicopters and police dogs - was called off at 11pm hours last night and resumed again at about 8am today.

Inspector Steve Brooker, head of policing in Wychavon, said: "The driver is thought to have been making his way from Evesham to Worcester - probably via the A44, the B4084 or nearby Walcot Lane - when the vehicle apparently entered a ford or flooding and was dragged off the road by the force of the water."

Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444 888, quoting 516S/250607.

Yesterday's floods caused chaos across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with probems still ongoing.

Alec Mackie, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said five vehicles had already got stuck in flood water near Tenbury Wells today.

"They're just ignoring the signs completely. They're putting their lives at risk, he said."Last night two crews of firefighters and a rescue boat were sent to help flood rescue operations in Yorkshire, with a high volume pump capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute.

They helped rescue 75 people, including two pregnant women and elderly man suffering from hypothermia, and are now on their way back.

The pump remains in Yorkshire.

Mr Mackie said about 100 firefighters from the area had been involved in rescue operations.

He said the service received about 100 flood related calls, with crews concentrated in Tenbury, Newnham Bridge, Little Hereford and Eastham.

He said the service had been called to save people trapped in cars, including a baby and three adults marooned in rising waters in Eastham, near Tenbury.

"In the end a tractor managed to pull this vehicle out of the flooded lane," he said.

Last night 20 people sought refuge at Tenbury Wells High School when homes were evacuated.

Flooding in the towns is believed to have reached record levels, as the River Teme burst its banks, causing water to flow into homes and businesses.

Roads across the county were closed and cars abandoned, with some being towed away by tractors.

Flood defences in Upton-upon-Severn and Bewdley were put up over night.This morning, staff at The Talbot Inn on the banks of the River Teme at Knightwick were preparing to welcome customers despite water lapping at the door.

Owner Annie Clift said there was just over a foot of water outside the pub but she had ferried staff into work and would do the same for customers. She said the flood water was not a problem for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

"We are still open. If anyone can get here I will wine and dine them and even put them up for the night. They can leave their cars outside the flood and ring me and I will ferry them in. Canoes are welcome," she said.

Staff and customers will have to use the back door, she added. But it was business as usual.

"The last really big flood was in 2000 and this is getting close to that and it is still coming up. That was in the winter. I have never had it like this in June," said Miss Clift, who has run the Talbot for 25 years.

There is a severe flood warning, meaning imminent danger to life and property, on the River Teme, from Ludlow to Bransford Bridge, including Tenbury, Newnham Bridge and Eardiston.

The River Severn has a flood warning (affecting homes, businesses and main roads), between Worcester and Tewkesbury, including Upton and Kempsey, as has the River Teme from Bransford Bridge to Powick.

Worcestershire County Council implemented its County Flood Plan, which involved working with the emergency services, district councils and Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Nick Riding, emergency planning manager, said the county worked with Malvern Hills District Council to provide an emergency rest centre at Tenbury High School.

He said the council was also responsible for sending officers to assess roads and bridges.

"They inspect any damage and make sure we get all systems in place to repair any damages," he said.

He said this was ongoing, especially in Tenbury, where he said flood waters were starting to subside.

Mr Riding said the police and council were also responsible for making road closures.

Meanwhile the Environment Agency has revealed the flood barriers will not go up along the riverside in Worcester, but it will be monitored overnight.

A spokeswoman said: "As far as we can see, it will not be necessary to put the barriers up yet, but we will be keeping an eye on it."

At about 6pm today, the A4103 at Bransford Bridge was closed to vehicles after flood water covered the road.

Firefighters are believed to have rescued drivers whose vehicles became trapped in the water.